Rafe (Men of Clifton, Montana #51)

Chapter One

Rafe made his way to the tool shed inside the barn, to retrieve the necessary equipment for mucking out the stalls. It was his turn to take care of them, and although the day was unbearably hot, he would rather sweat in the barn than be scorched by the blazing sun outside. July seemed to be throwing a tantrum with its unrelenting high temperatures all week long. Rafe preferred working in cold weather over this oppressive heat.

As he pushed the wheelbarrow toward the first stall, he heard a vehicle pull up outside. He knew they weren’t expecting any deliveries today, and it didn’t sound like a large truck anyway. Curious, Rafe stood in the doorway of the barn and observed his boss, Fred Hancock and his daughter-in-law, Maggie, chatting on the porch. Rafe found it admirable that she kept in touch with her father-in-law even though her husband, Fred’s son, was in prison. It was unusual for her to show up during the week, but she handed him something, then after hugging him, she ran down the steps, hopped into her car and drove off.

Rafe had always thought Maggie was a stunning woman, with her light brown hair and dark eyes, but unfortunately, she had been married to Frederick; a total asshole who mistreated her. Rafe remembered how Frederick used to treat her when they were still together, and he wanted to knock him on his ass. But he also knew that if he did, Frederick would just make things worse for Maggie and accuse her of having an affair with Rafe.

Rafe despised men who resorted to violence against women, children, and animals. He hoped Frederick would rot in jail for stealing horses from his own father and trying to sell them. When Rafe learned that Frederick had once broken Maggie’s jaw, he wanted to go to the jail himself to beat the hell out of him. But Fred had only found out about it recently and hadn’t been aware of his son’s abusive behavior toward Maggie. It was no wonder that Maggie left him and filed for divorce.

Thinking about Frederick made Rafe clench his jaw in anger. Not only was he a horse thief, but also a man who enjoyed hurting women. Rafe never liked him from the beginning. He always looked down on Rafe, even though Rafe towered over him in height. He remembered how Frederick would try to intimidate him, but Rafe always stood his ground and let him know that he was not afraid of him.

He pushed the wheelbarrow to the first stall. He wanted to finish the job as soon as possible. As the manager, it was his responsibility to not only oversee the ranch but also lend a hand when needed. He couldn’t just sit back and watch others work without doing anything himself. This earned him respect from the ranch hands.

*****

On Sunday, even though Rafe wasn’t working, he decided to make sure the stalls were clean. As he heard a vehicle outside, he walked toward the doors and saw Maggie stepping out of her car. A smile spread across his face as he watched her being greeted by Fred at the door.

Rafe couldn’t help but admire her beauty, but he knew she was strictly off limits. He was glad that Maggie got away from Junior, though.

He chuckled at the thought of how much Frederick hated being called “Junior”, so Rafe intentionally used that name whenever he was around. However, it would be a while before Junior could come around again; he was currently serving time for stealing his father’s horses and Rafe secretly hoped he’d stay there for a long time.

Something wasn’t right in Junior and Maggie’s relationship, and it bothered Rafe. Just mentioning Junior’s name caused Maggie to go pale. Rafe had no doubt that Junior had hit her plenty of times, but he couldn’t figure out why she had married him in the first place.

Reflecting on the day he had asked Junior about his marriage to Maggie; Rafe couldn’t help but wonder if Junior had somehow threatened her into it. With a heavy heart, he knew he would probably never know the truth.

Walking back through the barn and out into the sunny weather, he climbed into his truck and drove to the cabin he had been living in for years. When Fred hired him twenty-six years ago, he had told Rafe that one day he would become the manager of the ranch. So, Rafe worked hard to prove himself and at the young age of twenty-five, Fred made him manager and even had a cabin built for him.

The previous manager had been married and lived off the ranch, but Fred knew that Rafe had nowhere else to go. As he approached the cabin, he parked his truck and decided to take a dip in the pool today. Although Fred had built the cabin with ten acres surrounding it, Rafe had personally had a pool installed. Swimming was one of his favorite pastimes and it helped him stay in shape along with his duties on the ranch.

Entering the house, his dog, Booker, ran toward him, his entire body wiggling in delight at seeing his master. Rafe rubbed his head, then sat on the sofa to relax.

After watching some TV, Rafe stripped out of his clothes and headed outside toward the pool. He always swam in the nude; it was his private space, and no one ever disturbed him on his days off. Placing a towel on the table nearby, he walked over to the deep end of the pool and dove right in. Enjoying the refreshing water against his skin, he swam several laps underwater before coming up. A few more laps and he’d get out and take it easy for the rest of the day.

****

The following weekend, Maggie stood to put her cup in the sink and also picked up Fred’s. She loved spending time with him, even if he was no longer her father-in-law since she divorced his son, she loved him and still called him Dad.

She stared out the window and gasped when she saw Rafe riding into the yard on his horse, Rocket, the dust billowing up with the rhythmic clopping of hooves echoing in the sultry afternoon air. The sun blazed overhead, casting shimmering heat waves across the dusty landscape. She had witnessed this scene countless times, yet it never lost its charm. Rafe’s shirt clung to his skin, drenched with sweat, revealing the toned muscles beneath. She watched intently as he dismounted, allowing the reins to fall loose. The horse, eager for refreshment, plunged its muzzle into the trough, the water splashing as it drank, then tossed its head, causing the reins to slap against its neck with a gentle thud. She raised the window to see if she could hear Rafe talking to his horse, since he always did.

Rafe removed his white straw cowboy hat and peeled off his soaked shirt, revealing his sun-kissed skin. He plunged the hat into the water, the cool liquid cascading over his head as he lifted it. Maggie’s lips curled into an appreciative smile as she watched him drop the hat, bending to submerge his head fully into the trough. When he straightened, rivulets of water raced down his chiseled features and strong shoulders, the droplets glistening in the sun’s golden light. It was an arresting sight, one of the sexiest she had ever witnessed. His chaps hugged his jeans snugly, accentuating his lean form.

Her laughter bubbled up when Rocket, with mischievous intent, lowered his head and seized Rafe’s hat in his teeth, then let it fall into the trough with a splash. Rafe retrieved it, shaking his head at the playful horse. “It was already wet, I was hoping to let it dry, but no, you have to be a pain in my ass and drop it in there again,” he muttered, as Rocket bared his teeth in a horsey grin, as if sharing the joke. “Come on, I’ll get you some fresh oats, though you don’t deserve it,” Rafe chuckled, and goosebumps formed on her skin. She’d love to hear that deep voice whisper in her ear.

Suppressing a shudder, Maggie watched the horse follow Rafe into the barn, its hooves clicking against the cement floor. As Rafe led Rocket inside, she sighed with disappointment when he disappeared inside the barn. She knew that Rafe was cooling the horse, tending to him with the kind of care and affection that spoke of their deep bond. He’d settle Rocket into his stall, offering fresh food and water. Maggie understood that many cowboys cherished their horses, but the connection between Rafe and Rocket was something extraordinary. It was a partnership built on trust and mutual respect, and she was certain that Rocket would do anything for his master.

“Do you like your job at the antique store, honey?”

Maggie smiled. “I do. Vanna is a wonderful person, and I love having her as a boss. You need to visit, and I’ll show you my apartment above the store.”

“That was very kind of her to let you live there.”

“I’m telling you, she’s amazing. I’d love for you to meet her. I’ve told her all about you.”

“Does she know about Frederick?”

Maggie sighed and nodded. “Yes, but she won’t tell anyone how he treated me or you.”

“I don’t care who knows how he treated me, it’s you who got the worst of it. I’m so sorry, honey.”

She sat down at the table and touched his arm. “Dad, it was not your fault. Frederick could have taken after you, but for some reason, he was the opposite. He’s not a good man and I hate saying that to you about your son.”

“I don’t like how he treated you. If I had known…”

“There was nothing you could have done.”

“One day, you are going to tell me just why you married him.”

“I will. Just not yet.” She shook her head. “You know, if he gets this ranch—”

“No need to worry about that. I have plans.”

“Plans?”

“Yes, I’ll tell you some other time.”

After another hour, she stood when he did and hugged him. “I need to get going. I’ll see you soon. Please come into town. We can have lunch together one day.”

“Alright. Thank you for the burger. Maggie? Honey, would you mind stopping by Rafe’s on your way out? I can’t get him on his phone, and I need him for something.” Fred smiled as he stared at his phone.

She wanted to scream but sighed instead. “Maybe he’s just busy. I saw him ride in a little over an hour ago.”

“He doesn’t do much on weekends, unless needed, but he never fails to answer his phone when I call. That’s okay, if you can’t do it, I’ll go. He could be on his back deck, relaxing.”

“No, Dad. That’s fine. You don’t need to be out in this heat. I’ll go tell him you need him.”

“Thanks, honey. I would hate to go out in this. I think it’s almost a hundred degrees out there.”

“And about to get a lot hotter,” she muttered.

“What’s that?”

“Nothing. I’ll stop at his place before I head home.”

“Okay. I guess I’ll see you soon.”

“Yes, you will.” She kissed his cheek, then walked out the back door.

As she walked toward her car, she stopped and looked in the direction of Rafe’s cabin. Maybe she’d luck out and he was out somewhere. The less she saw of that man, the better. She couldn’t help how drawn she was to him. His jet-black hair always made her want to run her fingers through it, but she resisted the urge and would clench her fists instead. Gray hair streaked through the hair at his temples, sideburns and stubble, adding to his rugged appeal. His blueberry-colored eyes were framed with long, thick eyelashes, and he seemed to always have a sexy five o’clock shadow.

She got into her car, which felt like an oven, and quickly lowered the windows. It was way too hot out today.

“July is just trying to remind everyone how their eternity could be if they don’t behave.” She grinned, put her car into gear and drove along the road to Rafe’s place.

Maggie’s car engine hummed to a stop as she parked in front of his cabin. She stepped out, the gentle crunch of gravel under her feet breaking the silence. The air was still and calm, the only sound coming from the birds chirping around her. She knew he usually had weekends off, but he must have had to do some work this morning. She sighed as she saw his truck parked in front of the cabin.

With a firm knock on the door, she waited expectantly for an answer. But none came. She could hear his dog barking from inside, but she wanted to check the back first.

Letting out a sigh, she walked around back just in case he was relaxing on the deck as Fred had mentioned.

But when she rounded the corner, her heart skipped a beat at the unexpected sight. There he was, gliding gracefully under the crystal-clear water of the pool. And he was completely naked.

“Holy shit,” she couldn’t help but mutter, her eyes tracing every contour and muscle in his back. Oh, and that tight ass.

As he emerged from under the surface, droplets cascaded down his frame, making Maggie gasp in awe.

“What are you doing here?” Rafe’s voice broke through her trance as he climbed up the steps toward her.

“Fred wanted me to find—” Her words stuck in her throat as he strolled, naked, toward a nearby chair. He turned his back to her and casually reached for a towel. She watched transfixed as he dried himself off. She wanted to bite that ass, then he turned to face her as he closed the towel around him. Oh, God! That ‘V’ had her wanting to follow it with her tongue.

“Find?” Rafe raised an eyebrow, clearly aware of her distraction.

Maggie cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure. “What?”

Rafe smirked. “You said Fred wanted you to find… what?”

“Uh, you. He wanted me to find you.”

“For what?”

“What?” Maggie furrowed her brows in confusion.

“You’re repeating yourself, Maggie. What did Fred want you to find me for?”

Realization dawned on her and she blushed deeply. “Could you please put some clothes on?”

“I’m sure you’ve seen a naked man before. You were married at one time,” Rafe said, amusement in his eyes.

“I’ve never seen you!”

He chuckled. “Well, now you have, and you saw me put the towel around my waist.”

“But—”

“But what? This is my home, Maggie. I always swim nude. I’m not going to stop doing it just because you might suddenly show up. Now tell me why Fred needed me.”

“He didn’t tell me. He just said he needed you and asked me to stop by here before I headed back home. I told him I would do it; he didn’t need to be out in this scorching heat and since I was leaving—”

“Maggie?”

“Yes?”

“You’re rambling. I’ll get dressed and go see him.” With that, he turned and entered the house through the sliding glass doors, closing them behind him.

Maggie took a deep breath and made her way back to her car, but she couldn’t shake the image of Rafe’s naked form from her mind. It was impossible to deny that the man had an incredible body - a fact that would be an understatement of epic proportions.

“ Huge . Huge understatement.”

One thing for sure, he certainly had nothing to hide. Oh, yes, she’d been married, but he had nothing on Rafe Marshall. She’d look away anytime her ex was naked but couldn’t tear her eyes away from Rafe and his fantastic body. She sighed as she started the car, cranking the A/C on high as she drove home, trying to cool off both her body and her racing thoughts.

****

Rafe chuckled when he heard the roar of her engine fading into the distance. He knew he’d surprised her when he emerged from the pool, but she was a grown woman, and it was his damn pool after all. If he wanted to swim nude, he would. Hell, he always did. The shimmering water was his sanctuary, a place where no one ever intruded. Everyone on the ranch was well aware not to disturb him on his days off.

Day in and day out, he toiled relentlessly, so weekends were his sacred time to unwind. During the sultry summer days, unwinding meant immersing himself in the cool, crystalline waters of his pool, then lounging lazily for the remainder of the day. Winters offered their own pleasures. The pool was heated, allowing him the option to swim even as frost clung to the windows, but he often preferred the warmth of a crackling fire, watching as snowflakes danced and settled outside.

Unless Fred called upon him, Rafe made it a point to avoid the ranch on weekends. His phone lay forgotten on the nightstand; otherwise, he would have been alerted to Fred’s needs, and Rafe would go to great lengths for that man.

As Rafe tugged on a T-shirt, jeans, and socks, he pulled his boots on, then stood and made his way toward the kitchen. His dog, Booker, a Border collie/Australian shepherd mix, followed him.

“You’re going to stay here. I won’t be long.” Rafe stared at the dog.

When the dog whined, Rafe grinned. “I’ll be right back. We’ll go for a ride later together.” He picked up his hat, put it on his head, then walked out the door and headed for his barn where he kept his three horses. During the week, Rafe kept his main horse, Rocket, in the barn at the ranch, but on weekends brought him home.

After saddling his horse, he swung into the leather saddle, feeling the familiar creak beneath him, and set off toward the main house. Riding was another one of his favorite pastimes, a lifelong passion that endured despite the long hours he frequently spent in the saddle. The day was searingly hot, the sun blazing down from a cloudless sky, but he knew the horse relished the chance to stretch its powerful legs. Regardless of the weather, his horse was always brimming with uncontainable energy, eager to gallop across the vast, open land, his mane flowing like a flag in the wind.

As he approached the main house, with its wide wraparound porch, he dismounted with ease, looping the reins around a sturdy post. The wooden boards creaked softly under his boots as he crossed the porch and knocked on the solid oak door. Moments later, it swung open, revealing Fred’s welcoming face.

“Come in out of the heat, Rafe,” Fred said with a warm smile.

“Yes, sir.” Rafe removed his hat, wiping a sheen of sweat from his brow with the back of his hand, then wiped his dusty boots on the welcome mat before stepping inside. The cool air from the A/C enveloped him like a refreshing breeze, and he sighed in relief. He hung his hat on a peg by the door, then followed Fred into the living room, where the soft hum of a ceiling fan added to the cool atmosphere.

“Have a seat, son,” Fred offered, gesturing to a plush armchair.

Rafe nodded, waiting respectfully until Fred settled into his own chair before he did the same.

“Is something wrong, Fred?” Rafe inquired, a hint of concern in his voice.

“No. Why would you think that?” Fred replied, raising an eyebrow.

“Because Maggie told me you needed to see me, and you rarely do that on a weekend,” Rafe explained, leaning forward slightly.

“Oh, that. I took care of it. I needed a hole dug for a rose bush. I’m sorry I had her waste her time. Were you busy?”

“No, sir. I was in the pool, trying to beat the heat a little,” Rafe admitted with a grin.

“Yet, you rode your horse here in this heat,” Fred said with an amused grin.

Rafe chuckled as he shrugged. “I like to ride.”

“I know you do. So, what are you planning for the rest of the weekend?” Fred asked, curiosity in his eyes.

“Being lazy,” Rafe replied with a relaxed grin.

“Best way to spend a weekend,” Fred declared with a satisfied nod, his eyes crinkling in genuine contentment. “Would you care for a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade? Maggie made it herself and kindly brought it over for me.”

“Sure, that sounds good.”

“I’ll be right back,” Fred added.

“Yes, sir.”

Rafe gazed around the room, absorbing every familiar detail with a sense of comfort. In his eyes, Fred was a pillar of virtue and strength, a man worthy of immense respect, so much so that Rafe couldn’t help but contrast him with his own family. His father, perpetually lost in his drunken stupor, was nothing more than a pompous, self-absorbed man, and his mother fared little better, often clouded by the haze of various mind-altering substances.

Years ago, Rafe had arrived at the expansive Hancock ranch, his voice hopeful as he pleaded for a job in desperate need of a fresh start. He wanted to save money to get away from the toxic remnants of his childhood home. The last memory he held of his parents was bitter; a year prior, when they had unexpectedly appeared at his cabin to ask for money. He knew all too well how that cash would be squandered under the influence of their ever-lingering vices. While Rafe appreciated a beer every now and then, never did he cross the line into excessive indulgence, determined never to mirror his parents’ self-destructive behavior.

When Fred re-entered the room, Rafe stood in respectful greeting, accepting a glass of lemonade from him. Following Fred’s own seating, Rafe sat as well, lifting the glass to his lips. With each sip, he nodded in quiet approval.

“It’s very good,” Rafe remarked, his voice filled with genuine appreciation.

“Maggie makes it using real lemons, not that store-bought kind,” Fred responded with a broad grin that hinted at both pride and mischief.

“What are your plans this weekend, Fred?”

“I’m planning a trip into town,” Fred explained with a spark of anticipation. “I’ve never had the pleasure of visiting the little shop where Maggie works, and knowing how passionate she is about it, I promised I’d pay her a visit.”

“Isn’t she off today?” Rafe asked, eyebrows arching in quiet surprise.

“No, she popped out during her lunch break and surprised me with a burger,” Fred laughed.

Rafe couldn’t help but return the grin. “I see. That was nice of her.”

Fred’s eyes softened as he spoke, “Rafe, that remarkable young woman will always be welcome in my home. After discovering how Frederick mistreated her and what he inflicted upon me, he is no longer welcome, but if she ever needs a safe haven, this door will remain open.” He paused, a tender smile curving his lips. “That said, she loves the independence of her own space. She told me she lives above the shop where she works, her boss kindly provides her a place to stay rent free.”

“That’s generous of her,” Rafe commented as he took another sip of his lemonade.

After a short moment of lingering conversation, Fred excused himself. “I hate to cut this short, but I’m going to grab a quick shower, I spent the afternoon planting a rose bush out back, and I could certainly use a refreshing rinse before heading into town. Would you like to go with me?”

Rafe raised his eyebrows. “Uh, no, thanks, Fred. I have some work to finish in my barn, and then I plan on spending the rest of the day just relaxing.”

“Oh, okay,” Fred said, tilting his head in curiosity. “Don’t tell me you aren’t fond of Maggie?”

Rafe nearly choked on his drink; his surprise evident. “Of course, I’m fond of her. We just don’t get to talk very often.”

“Why not?”

“We rarely cross paths. I’m busy tending my work, and on weekends, I enjoy the quiet solitude,” Rafe explained.

Fred leaned forward in his chair; his tone filled with gentle concern. “You might find that solitude doesn’t always suit you, Rafe. It might be time to consider a family of your own, marriage, children; you know, the whole lot.”

“Fred, if you’re trying to set me up with Maggie, you can stop right now. She is far out of my league, and should Junior ever manage to reappear, I’m certainly not in the mood to deal with him,” Rafe retorted, his voice edged with exasperation.

Fred chuckled. “If Frederick does come back, believe me, Maggie will have no desire to associate with him either.”

Rafe shook his head. “That doesn’t mean he won’t stir up trouble.”

“He won’t be out on the streets for a long while,” Fred assured him.

Rafe sighed, a trace of worry in his tone. “The longer he sits in that cell, stewing in his own bitterness, the more dangerous he could become. I just hope, if ever gets out, he leaves Maggie alone, especially considering that she had a hand in putting him away.”

“Yes, I agree, but let’s hope he doesn’t get out for a long time and by then, maybe Maggie will be remarried and have a family.” Fred grinned, while Rafe felt like someone kicked him in the gut.

Rafe stood. “I need to get back to my place and clean some stalls. I should have done it earlier, but the horses were out, so I skipped it. Now, it’s hot and I know I’ll be getting back into that pool to cool off.”

“Okay, son. I’ll see you afterwhile. Have a good weekend.”

“You too, Fred. If you need me, call me. I’ll keep my phone with me.”

“Lock the door on the way out, please, Rafe.”

“Yes, sir.” Rafe walked toward the kitchen, placed his glass in the sink, then put his hat on, opened the door, turned the lock and stepped outside. He jogged down the steps, untied his horse, then held the reins as he walked a little bit. He knew the horse was hot from standing in the sun in full tack, so he walked him to cool him a little.

When the horse nudged him from behind, Rafe stopped and looked at him.

“What the hell was that for?” Then he laughed when Rocket curled his lip back, showing his teeth as if laughing. “Keep it up and I’ll leave you here.”

The horse shook its head as if to say, yeah right, so Rafe wrapped the reins around the saddle horn and continued walking. Glancing over his shoulder, he grinned when he saw Rocket following behind like a big dog. The horse loved his master and the feeling was mutual.