Chapter 8
Eight
S am bit into another cookie, and Evie forced herself to look away from his mouth. “Oh god, Evie. These could give Daisy’s brownies a run for her money.”
She laughed. “I don’t know about that. Those brownies have to have drugs in them. There’s no way they can be that addicting! I mean, I haven’t stopped thinking about them since she brought me some on my first day here.”
“Well, any time you want to make more of these, I’ll gladly eat them without complaint.”
“I’ll make you more, but they come at a price.”
His eyebrow raised for the fiftieth time since they sat down and started talking. She was beginning to feel like everything she said shocked Sam in some way.
“Oh, what’s that?”
“Well, I accidentally just spilled my heart out here. I’d kind of like to know some more about you. Your family. If you think I’ve earned it.”
She saw the remorse written on his face. He’d already apologized for being mean to her, but there was something satisfying in reminding him just how hurtful his words had been .
“Of course. What do you want to know?”
“What was it like growing up here?”
“Incredible. I ran wild and free all over these pastures. Built forts to try and keep Abby away when she was old enough to follow after me. Caused a bunch of mischief with my friends. Stayed out from sun up until my mom rang the dinner bell almost every night.”
“Sounds fun.”
“It was. Until I was old enough to start taking on ranch responsibilities. I think my dad would have started me younger if my mom wouldn’t have thrown a fit. She was adamant about me getting to have a childhood.”
“I knew I liked your mom.”
“If she had her way, the ranch probably would have been sold off when my dad died.”
“She didn’t want you to run things?”
“No. She wanted me to follow my dreams. Not be saddled with making sure the family legacy carried on.”
“And your dreams were…”
“To become a Texas Ranger.”
Evie nodded. “I could see you doing that job.”
“I was obsessed as a kid. I always knew that one day, I’d have to come home and take over on the ranch. It was every eldest son’s duty, and I was the only son, so it fell to me. But Dad and I always talked about that being after my career with the Rangers. We thought we had time.”
“What happened?”
“I was getting ready to take my peace officer licensing exam. Dad and I were out moving cattle one day and he said he wasn’t feeling good. I told him to head up to the house, that I’d finish things with Zeke and Derrick, but before he could even turn his horse around, he was falling to the ground. Massive heart attack. Gone instantly. ”
Evie reached over and laid her hand on his arm. “I’m so sorry, Sam.”
His eyes drifted down to where they were touching. “Me too. I think you would have liked him. He was the complete balance to my mom. Strict. Orderly. Demanded accountability. But he was also really funny. The life of the party. He had a big personality.”
“He must have in order to handle Sylvie,” Evie laughed.
“Yeah. I think that’s why Abby has such a hard time being around Mom. She feels our dad’s absence more when there isn’t that balance to her eccentricity.”
“Speaking of your sister,” she grabbed a cookie and nibbled on the edge. “How long has she been with John?”
“Less than a year.”
That answer truly surprised Evie.
“Surprising, right?”
“Their family unit is just so… cohesive.”
“They sort of just fell into place with each other. I sometimes forget that Katy isn’t biologically related to me. She’s so connected with my sister, and my sister with her.”
Evie felt her hand drifting to her belly, Jellybean waking up from her nap to give a gentle roll. Family didn’t have to be those related to her by blood. Putting roots down in Bell Ridge was the right choice. There were so many wonderful people there who wanted to welcome her into their families. She would be crazy not to accept their kindness.
The breeze carried the sounds of cattle lowing in the distance.
“Are we close to the herd right now?” she asked.
“Yeah. We have the heifers grazing in the next pasture over.”
“Can we see them?”
He hesitated, wiping his hand on his jeans before grabbing his hat off the ground and setting it back on his head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“We don’t have to get super close. I’d just love to see them. They’ve been out grazing since I got here. I love that you let them roam the land so freely, but I’ve been dying to get my eyes on them.”
Sam ran his hand over the back of his neck. “Okay. Yeah, sure. But we’re going to stay a fair distance back from the fence. We’ll head back after we see them. I want to show you the lake we have.”
A lake? That sounded like heaven as the sun beat down on them. “Perfect.”
They worked together to clean up their small picnic. Sam insisted again on carrying her backpack, but she wasn’t about to complain. Something about the fresh air, and the distance from the office, made Sam act like a completely different person. She could see what all his friends meant when they told her he was kind, and caring.
Evie thought about peeling her socks and shoes off at the lake, taking a few minutes to cool off her feet before they went back to the barn. It would be the perfect end to her day.
“See that one right there? Off by herself in the shade of the trees?” Sam interrupted her thoughts as they neared the fence line.
“The brown one with white ears?” Evie asked.
“Yeah. She’s going to have a calf soon.”
“Really? That’s so precious.” Worry flashed in Evie’s mind. “Shouldn’t she be up in the barn, or at least close to the house in case something happens?”
“We like to let nature take its course. Truth be told, it would stress her out more being locked up with us watching over her. When we think labor might be coming on, Zeke or Derrick will come out and monitor things.”
“What’s her name? ”
Sam chuckled. “She doesn’t have one.”
“She’s about to be a mom and she doesn’t even have a name? That’s not right.” Evie watched as the cow’s tail came up to swat off the flies. “I think we should name her Lemon. And her baby, when it comes, can be Lemon Drop.”
A candy name, just like she’d given her own baby. She was happy with those names. A vision of the calf sitting in bluebonnets came to her mind and she had to swallow down her laughter.
“I like those. But don’t go thinking Lemon or Lemon Drop are going to come live in the office. We can’t spoil ‘em. They’ve got a job to do here.”
“Just because they have a job to do doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to have a name.”
“You don’t name cattle, Evie. You name pets. I’m okay with it this time, as long as you understand there will come a day when we can’t keep them.”
“So, don’t fall in love with her?”
“Right.”
“And don’t fall in love with her baby?”
“Exactly.”
“Cowboy, I really hate to tell you this, but?—”
Sam laughed. The corner of his eyes crinkled and his hand went to his chest. Her heart went into overdrive. “That fast? You already fell in love with them?”
“I can’t help it,” she whined. “She’s just so cute! And then thinking about her baby. My heart…”
“I’ll let you in on a secret. She’s one of my favorites, too, and I know her calf will hold a special place in my heart.”
“Mmm,” Evie nodded.
“What?”
“You’ve got a thing for pregnant ladies. Good to know.” Evie winked and walked down the fence line a few steps, laughing at the way Sam’s mouth dropped open.
Evie slipped her sneakers and socks off. She walked over the stones by the pond, which Sam had insisted was a lake but it clearly was not , and soaked in the warm sun rays that were kissing her skin. It truly was one of the most beautiful places she’d ever been. Sam’s family was blessed to own it.
“Evie!” His voice called out, alarm dripping through her name.
Turning to see what he was so panicked about, Evie’s foot fell awkwardly between two stones, causing her ankle to twist. Her leg buckled and she fell, landing squarely on her bottom.
“Oops!”
Sam came running towards her. She looked up from where her hand was rubbing the tender skin on her ankle and smiled at how panicked he looked. Serves him right for calling out to her like she was about to fall off a cliff.
“Are you okay?” he asked, grabbing her hand in an effort to help her stand.
“I’m fine.”
He winced. “The baby?”
“She’s fine too, Cowboy. No need to panic. She’s still pretty small, and I landed on my butt. I’m almost certain that’s not where she is right now.”
He shook his head, pulling off his hat and wiping his hand across his forehead. “What were you thinking walking along these stones by yourself?”
“Uh, I was thinking about putting my feet in the beautiful water of this tiny, tiny lake.”
“It’s not a tiny lake,” he bristled.
“I’m almost certain you legally have to classify it as a large pond.”
“Just because you grew up on the Great Lakes does not mean that this isn’t a perfectly fine body of water. It’s not about the size, it’s how you use it.”
Ah, there it was. The panic had receded from his gaze, and the warm crinkle of teasing had moved back in. She hadn’t totally mucked their nice afternoon up.
“Well, I’d been planning on using this little lake appropriately, but I didn’t plan on twisting my ankle.”
“Oh shit. Is it okay? Here, let me check it out for you.”
He helped her sit back down and quickly moved his hand down her leg and over her ankle. She couldn’t help but let out a small whimper when his hand grazed the injury.
“It might be sprained. I’ll carry you back to the house.”
“You will do no such thing. I’m perfectly fine to walk on it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Sam, this isn’t some romance movie where I get injured, a quirky animal companion finds us and guides us home as you carry me in your strong and capable arms to get a pumpkin spiced latte.”
His blank face stared at her. “That was very specific, Bluebell .”
“Oh, god. I’m never going to live down that mistake, am I?”
“Probably not. Now, tell me more about these movies.” He watched her face as he poked and prodded her ankle.
“I may have fallen asleep to some corny romance movies last night. There’s just something so comforting about them.”
Sam laughed.
“Well, I don’t know about the animal companion, Shep included because he’s a pain, but I am a fool for a good pumpkin spiced drink.” His face dropped and he pointed his finger at Evie. “I’ll never admit that to anyone else. Don’t give away my secret.”
“Your pumpkin spice obsession is safe with me. ”
“I said I like it, not that I’m obsessed.”
“The word ‘fool’ was used, Sam.”
“Yeah, well… let’s get back on topic here. I might actually like the sound of you being in my strong and capable arms.”
All of a sudden, it felt like the sun was right next to her face.
“I think if you just help me up, I’ll be okay.”
“Alright, let’s test it out.”
Scooping her up in his arms, Sam navigated away from the lake and set Evie down on the ground.
As soon as her foot hit the grass, she grimaced and let out a tiny yelp.
“Nope. That settles it, I’m carrying you back.”
“Sam. It’s too far, and I’m too heavy.”
“You are not too heavy. Please. What is having ranch muscles good for if not carrying a damsel in distress?”
Now it was Evie’s turn to laugh. “I see we’ve gone from romantic movies to fairy tales. But I promise, I’m not a damsel in distress. I can take care of myself.”
“Well, seeing as how I yelled your name and startled you, causing you to fall in the first place, please let me do this for you so we can get you back home and get that ankle under some ice before too much swelling settles in.”
“I guess I can’t argue with that. Giddyup, Cowboy.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
Her citrus perfume wrapped itself around him and didn’t let go. God, she felt so right in his arms. Not right in the sense that she’d gotten hurt. Of course not. Right in the sense that she just fit. It was almost as if her body, and the pressure of her against his chest, was calming the storm within him .
He walked to her apartment door, pressing her tighter to his chest when she began to wiggle.
“You can let me down now.”
“Nope. I’m depositing you onto your couch, getting you some ice and making sure you elevate it.”
“Sam, it doesn’t even hurt anymore.”
“Key, Evie.”
“No need, I didn’t lock it.”
His whole body went still.
“What do you mean, you didn’t lock it?” His hand reached out and sure enough, the door knob turned freely. Sam stomped over to the small sofa and set Evie down.
“It’s not like this is a big crime area. I feel safe here. Besides, don’t think I haven’t seen all of you wearing your guns on your hips this whole time. I’m sure if there was any danger, you, or Derrick, or Zeke would stop someone from hurting me.”
He slammed the freezer door closed, the bag of frozen peas cooling his temper down as he searched for a hand towel to wrap it in.
“Towel?” he asked.
“There are a few in the drawer next to the sink.”
Sam wrapped the peas up and set them on Evie’s ankle, which was already resting on a pillow. Good.
“I think I might need to get a shoe that better supports my ankles. I’m used to rolling them, but I think the baby is making all my ligaments looser.”
“I never thought about that, but it makes sense. You could try a cowboy boot.”
Her eyes lit up. “Is there a store in Bell Ridge? I’d love to pick out a pair the next time I’m in town.”
“Yeah, you’ll find a few places that sell some nice ones.”
“I’ve never had a pair of cowboy boots before.”
“Well, if you plan on staying here, they’re a must. ”
“Oh, does the Red River Ranch have an updated dress code I need to know about?”
“If it gets you into cowboy boots, then hell yeah, it does.”
Evie smiled, before tipping her head back against the sofa.
“Are you feeling okay?” he asked.
“I can’t figure you out, Samuel Cooper.”
“I’m a pretty simple guy.”
“I don’t know. It felt like when I got here, the grumpy man I worked with every day didn’t fit you, but I couldn’t pinpoint why. And then today, you’re so kind, and funny, and open about things. It felt like I was meeting the real you. The you who was kind to me before you found out about Jellybean.”
He scrubbed his hand down over his face. “I owe you an apology, for the way I acted before. I know I told you at dinner I’ve been going through some things lately, but that’s not an excuse. I was worried about you getting hurt here. But I hurt you instead, and I’m sorry.”
“Well, I think if anything was ever going to give you bonus points towards me forgiving you, it would be carrying me five miles in your arms because I rolled my ankle.”
“Evie, that was barely a mile.”
Her face lit up. “Oh, well it looks like you’ll just have to do it again to earn more of my forgiveness.”
“As long as you promise not to roll your ankle again, I’ll carry you anywhere you want to go.”