Chapter 3
3
T he sun-kissed and snow-capped mountains reaching into the bright blue Wyoming sky was a vision Jace Shepard never tired of. Sitting on the top of the fence, he wrapped his ankles through the wooden slats, brought his hands to rest on his upper thighs, and paused to take it all in.
The view left him breathless. Every time.
The six years he’d spent away at college and interning with the beef industry had been the longest of his life. This ranch, this landscape, and its lifestyle were in his blood. It made up the very fibers of his core. He would never leave if he didn’t have to. Heck, he planned on being buried here like all his ancestors who were the original homesteaders and had claimed the land by parking their wagons.
Now the deluded ideas of a crazy old man were threatening to take it all away.
It was true that Jace lived and breathed the ranch. No point arguing that. That was why part of him understood where his father was coming from when he told Jace to square away his personal life. A man liked to leave an imprint somewhere along the journey of his life, and Jace was no different. Like his father and his grandfather, he’d always imagined his mark would be in passing down the family business to his son or daughter. A tradition and lifestyle he was proud of.
But––from the words of his single-minded father––time was getting away, and he was right. Hell, his thirties had snuck up on him, and the prospect of settling down was starting to look slim. The odds of finding the old grizzly he suspected was hunting his herd and convincing him to hunt elsewhere look more probable.
Jace snorted as he thought about that conversation at the dinner table.
Keep the gun close by, dear. There’s a grizzly hunting these parts lately .
Not much of an enticement to be sure.
Jace was no fool. He knew living in remote Wyoming would require certain compromises on anyone’s behalf. Winters could be rough, days without power. It was an isolated existence. Sometimes he went long stretches without seeing others. All reasons why finding a wife was darn near impossible, and the few times he had managed to match up with someone, the remoteness killed whatever interest they had in him. Even the local girls couldn’t bear the isolation, or those that could, had already been snatched up. It took a special person to be a rancher’s wife. It wasn’t all big cars and large diamonds as TV liked to portray.
Settle down with a wife, or Pop's would give Jace's controlling share of the ranch to some nitwit cousin––who, last time Jace checked, was obsessed with Pokemon Go. All because Pops wanted Jace and his sister, Willow, to have lives beyond Three Peaks Ranch, and his father was stubborn enough to stick to his threats. Lucky for Willow, she had plenty of time.
“Hey, man.” Tucker Williams came up beside Jace and leaned over the fence, one foot resting on the lower bar. “If it’s all right with you, I’m gonna split and see Mandy before she heads out to her book club.”
Jace glanced at his childhood friend. They’d found more trouble than was healthy for kids, but together had managed to survive, and the process cemented a lifelong friendship. “Yeah, sure man. Have a good night.” Jace bumped Tuck's fist. “Tell Mandy to have fun with her book friends.”
Tuck rolled his eyes. “Did I tell you she wants me to read the books too, so we can discuss them? Like she doesn’t get enough chatting in at her club.”
Jace snorted. Tuck discussing a book was as far-fetched as picturing bear negotiations.
“She also said that Cassidy Martin is still single if you want her to set you two up.” Tuck ducked his head, likely hiding a smile.
Jace shook his head. “She scares me. Always has, ever since she clocked your brother on the playground in third grade. I haven’t seen a right hook with that accuracy since. Tell Mandy thanks but no thanks.”
“Listen, I know it ain’t my business, but I heard what your Pops said the last time he was here. About getting a wife. And uh… Heck, man, this is awkward.” Tuck kicked the fence. “You want any help with finding one, I might be able to assist. I got a couple girl cousins in Bozeman that aren’t hard to look at.” Tuck wiped at his face and looked away at the mountain before them.
Jace didn’t know what to say. He knew his friend preferred not to get involved with affairs of the heart, so to make such an offer was a true test to the depth of his friendship.
“What makes you think I’m gonna give in to the demands of a crazy old man?” Jace tried to joke, but they both knew he’d do just about anything his Pops asked him to do, even if he hadn't threatened his share of the ranch. Knowing that his father's days were limited, his body deteriorating from ALS, only made Jace that much more eager to please. If Pops needed Jace settled before he died, then so be it.
“Your Pops has been good to me. After mine passed, yours stepped in. If he had told me he wanted to see me get settled and happy before he passed, I’d have run out and taken as many wives and adopted as many kids as it took to make him happy. Regardless of the law.”
Jace laughed. Yeah, he felt the same way. In fact, it’s all he’d been thinking about in the four weeks since his dad made the request.
I need to know you’re happy before I go. Nothing has filled my life as completely as your mom, you, and your sister. I want that for you. You understand what I’m saying, son? Why I'm doing this?
But how does one concoct a wife from thin air? If he went into town and down the list of single girls, more than half would be too young, a third too old, and the rest like Cassidy Martin were not the sort of girl he pictured himself with for the entirety of his life.
Or even for the bit of time his father had left. Getting a temporary bride would require a special someone who would be willing to let go when the time was right.
Though “borrowing” a wife temporarily was likely the best plan, Jace worried it might be borrowing too many problems. “I’m taking care of it, Tuck. But thanks for being so willing to sacrifice your cousins.” Jace leaned forward and rested his chin on his palm.
“That’s all right. Let me know if I can help.”
Jace grunted. “You better get home to your pretty wife.”
“Yeah, she gets upset when we don’t get some time together. I guess she knows the schedule’s about to get hectic so she’s trying to get in what she can.” Tuck shrugged. “You know how they are.”
“Then you better get along.” Truth was Jace didn’t know how “ they” were. His last serious girlfriend was during his internship. She’d taken one look at the ranch, calculated the distance to the nearest Target, more than 100 miles away, and bailed after the first day. Since then, he’d kept a few “friends with benefits” on speed dial when in town for auctions or such. There were no misunderstandings in those situations. They were clear he wouldn't change, and he understood they had no interest in a life with him in the wilds of Wyoming. None of them were impressed that Yellowstone lie directly to the West, that his land shared peaks with the national park.
“See ya tomorrow.” Tuck cuffed him on the back before turning to leave.
When the horn on Tuck’s beat-up pickup blasted three short honks, Jace didn’t look back but gave an over-the-head wave. After the slapping of the tires on the wet earth faded, Jace reached into the front pocket of his weathered jeans and pulled free the folded slip of paper.
It was a silly note from his sister that had planted the idea of borrowing a wife and made him call Sabrina. Jace scanned the sheet, reading his slanted scroll quickly, his gaze only stopping on his sister’s bubbly script.
1. Fix west fence near stream
2. Weed out unhealthy herd
3. Parse out stock for the exchange
4. Prep for summer births from Heifers
5. Ranch vehicles need service
6. Find a wife and be happy
It was the word find, like he could do an Internet search and be provided a solution. Which in his case, all he had to do was dial up his college friend. It bothered him that Willow had written be happy. He was under the impression that he was happy. Yeah, it could get lonely out here, especially in the winter, but it all came back to compromises. Once spring hit full-on, he’d be going non-stop without a second thought about if he had someone to sit next to him on the fence or a helpmate who’d heat up his dinner on those cold rainy days that he’d be forced to stay out in the deluge. He wasn't so lonely he took for granted he had a place to come home to and a hot meal, even if it was canned soup. He’d seen people with less, and he wasn't about to sit here feeling sorry for himself because he required a wife and his sister thought he was unhappy. These were obstacles he needed to find a way around.
Jace was a simple man. He never asked for much and was grateful for what he had. He needed to remember that. Swiping his hand over his face, he followed it with a heavy sigh. Lately, he’d asked for a whole heck of a lot. He’d asked for a cure for his father. He’d asked for more time. It was plain greedy to ask for a wife, too, even if he did it under the guise of making a dying man happy.
The phone in the breast pocket of his thick Carhartt jacket vibrated. Jace smiled wryly. For all the remoteness of the location, he had cell service out in the field but spotty service in his house. How was that for technology?
A glance at the screen told him Sabrina was calling.
“Rina,” he said, using the old nickname he’d given her in college. “I was just thinking about you. How’s tricks?”
“You know I hate when you say that.”
Her irritation was a pretense. Experience and a lengthy, true friendship taught him that. “Your call brings a smile to my face.” They never spent time bickering about the insignificant.
“That’s how you should start a conversation, Jace. That makes a woman all warm and soft.”
Jace laughed and wished, not the for first time, he could have made something spark between himself and Sabrina. But nothing comes from nothing, and even sparks require an accelerant of some making.
“How’s Pops?” She never failed to inquire.
“Holding his own. Hates not being out here doing the day-to-day stuff, but he knows that getting through this therapy will help maintain a quality to his life he wants.”
“I’m sorry the trial drug didn’t work. Did Willow go back to school?”
Jace wiped one eye with the corner of his palm. They all were sorry. Real sorry and heartbroken.
Willow, was finishing up her master’s degree at the University of Washington. “Yeah, she keeps talking about transferring back here, but they don’t have her program, and Mom won’t hear of it. She only has six months left.”
Which felt like nothing when you didn’t have a ticking clock to face every day. If he should get 180 more days with his father, he’d drop to his knees and give thanks. He no longer had faith in what the doctors said. The disease seemed to have a mind of its own, accelerating faster than they’d expected.
“I hope I get some time in with your Mom and Pops while I’m there.”
“You’re coming? To what do I owe this honor?” Last time she came to the ranch was to hide out and nurse her broken heart. Jace couldn’t think of that clown, Lawton, without wanting to punch him in the face. Dammit if the man hadn't caught them off guard. Spending four years being Lawton's roommate hadn't prepared Jace for witnessing Lawton's lilied-liver, chicken-butt cowardice first hand. That was Lawton Jones. Coward of the first order. Standing in his tux, throwing his belongings into his car, and begging Jace to tell Sabrina he was sorry. He just couldn't go through with it.
“This time it’s for business. I found you a wife.” There was no misunderstanding her matter-of-fact tone. The call had gone from friendship to business owner and client.
Jace’s thoughts became a jumbled mess. A wife? Would she bail after the first week? How would Pops react?
“Did you hear me?” Sabrina’s probe was gentle.
He grunted.
“But here’s the caveat. I know when you called me it was more out of desperation to make Pops happy, but it’s time you made yourself happy, too, Jace. You haven’t been the same since What’s-Her-Dummy left you.”
“She has a name.” Truth was he didn’t like to say it either.
“Yes, and drives a minivan with those family stickers on the back. She has two kids and a dog. She’s very happy reigning over the Junior League and Daughters of the American Revolution.”
“So you’ve seen her?” It wasn’t that he ached to know more about his old girlfriend. He no more missed her than he would that grizzly should it leave. But he missed the idea of her. Of the dreams he had when they were together.
“Unfortunately, I have. Do you think you’re open to a little happiness?”
He’d have to be a nut to say no. “Sure.”
“But it won’t be instant. I can’t just drop Meredith off, see you two get hitched, wave my magic love wand, and the two of you will live happily ever after. You’re going to have to work for it.”
He shrugged. “Sure,” he repeated. He wasn’t by nature a mean or poorly tempered man, and adding another female to the fold should be easy enough. If she knew what she was getting into, then what could go wrong?
That was a dumb question. Tons could go wrong.
“Sure,” Sabrina mimicked. “You’re going to have to do all those things you’re afraid of. Things like share a bit of yourself, go on dates, ask her questions about herself, all those things you profess to have no time for. All the things you’ve avoided doing since Dumb-Dumb left.”
“I’m not a Neanderthal.” His mother would box his ears if he so much as thought of being rude. Yet, go on dates? What would they talk about? His life was nothing but cows and bulls.
Shit, nothing like realizing you were a boring-ass person. He didn’t even have a hobby.
“No, you aren’t a Neanderthal. You’re a wonderful, caring man with a good sense of humor. You deserve to be happy, my friend, and I found the person who can give that to you if you’re willing.”
Jace grunted. This here was the real deal. He’d called her in a moment of weakness, moments after the doctor told them the clinical trial of new meds wasn’t working and had exacerbated the symptoms. What they feared the most, losing time with Pops, had happened.
“Are you sure this is the right thing to do? Can’t she just come out and pretend for a while? Who is this woman? Did you say her name was Meredith? What if she hates it here? What if we don’t connect?” Because if he couldn’t be honest with his friend who was now his matchmaker and who had, ironically, begged him not to date his ex when he’d first floated the idea back in their sophomore year, who could he be honest with?
“Meredith will need a gentle touch and some time. I’m not trying to liken her to an animal, but she needs the same tenderness you’ve shown those skittish horses of yours.”
“Rina, this doesn’t sound like the best—”
“Listen to me, Jace Shepard. You know I’m good at what I do.”
This was, without question, true. He could list the friends she’d set up that were in happy, fulfilling marriages. It was ironic that the person love had betrayed was so good in the matchmaking and marriage department .
“If there were two people in the world who needed each other more than you need Meredith and she needs you, I have yet to meet them. Ever. The minute I talked to her, I knew she was for you. She’s a beautiful person, and her mother and I served on several committees. I considered her mother a friend, a mentor. I’m trusting you with her. I have faith you can give her everything that she needs, and therefore will get everything you need in return.”
Jace didn’t want to think about what that meant. These days, hope seemed to be an expensive commodity. “You used to be a friend of her mother’s?”
“She passed.”
Jace understood. He’d supported Sabrina when she grieved with the passing of her father. He was going through his own process now as he watched his father slowly fade away. The sadness that was bound to live in Meredith’s heart would be something he might not be directly familiar with yet, but he’d soon come to understand.
“How old is she?” Because some girl expecting instant gratification in everything would not do.
“She’s eight years younger than us.”
He did the math in his head and whistled through his teeth. “That’s young.” A twenty-four year old would really have a hard time living this remotely. His sister was only a year younger and constantly complained about that lack of “everything” when she was home.
“She’s not like you’re imagining. This is it, Jace. I know with all that I am she's the one for you. Are you ready for what I’m offering?”
Maybe they could find a common bond to unite them, more than losing a parent, and find a companionship. He thought of his situation in terms of his father’s health and not the “forever” marriage was defined by.
He’d sure like to sit on this fence with someone and share life with them. He’d settle for an easy friendship. Would it be hard to make friends with this woman? Shoot, he had lots of female friends. This would be no different. Ok, maybe a little different, but not much.
“When?” he asked, his gaze reading the line his sister wrote on the paper.
Find a wife and be happy
“Friday, ten o’clock. That cute little church in town. Wear something appropriate. I can’t believe I have to tell you that.”
“What does she look like? Maybe she's not my type. Maybe she could just stay here at the ranch to see if she likes it before—”
“No. That’s not how this works. I've sent you a picture. Check your email. Regardless, you need a wife. Meredith needs a husband. Let’s get down to business and meet each other’s needs. We aren’t playing here. This is for keeps.”
For keeps.
Those two words forced him to sit up straight. He really should confess that for keeps wasn’t something he thought was attainable. Not that he wouldn’t take it, but he wouldn’t expect it.
Think of Pops.
What harm was one little white lie? “OK,” he said, his voice drifting away with the wind.
“I beg your pardon? What was that?”
He could hear the smile in her voice. “I said I’m in.”
Sabrina laughed. “I’m actually very excited. Not only will this be the first wedding I’ve ever attended for one of my matches, but I’m past ready to see you happy.”
“Do I meet you there? Want me to come to the airport or anything?”
“No, meet us there. Make sure you go down to the county clerk and get the marriage license. I’ve emailed you all the docs you’ll need.”
“All right. Anything else?” He cataloged it like he did all his business transactions.
“Didn’t you say you had family or something that worked at the clerk’s office?”
“Yeah, a second cousin. Why?”
“Any chance they’d be willing to code the information into the system inaccurately?”
Jace straightened. This was starting to sound a little sketchy. He didn't need anymore trouble, thank you very much. He had enough with the day-to-day of the ranch.
“What are you getting me into Sabrina?” He’d walk away if he had to.
“I’m only trying to give her some time away from her father. Make it a little harder for him to find her.”
“Am I going to have a problem with this father?”
“No, you’ll be able to handle him. It’s Meredith that needs to learn to do that, and distance and time will help her. I promise, when the time comes, her father won’t be an issue.”
She always made good on her promises, and no one could read people better than Sabrina Holloway. He’d seen that firsthand, with the exception of Lawton of course. But everyone fails sometime.
“You’re sure about this, Rina?”
“Unequivocally.”
“OK, see you in two days.” He shook his head in disbelief, surprised at how willing he was being led into this nonsense. A matchmaker and a mail order bride. Who said times were changing?
“You’ll thank me soon enough, my friend,” Sabrina said before disconnecting.
Jace opened his email and found the one from Sabrina. Attached was a grainy picture of a young woman's profile. Though he couldn't make out her face, the lighting was poor, there were several things he was able to see. The fancy evening gown, the casual elegance with how she held a champagne flute, and opulence surrounding her. She looked...too fancy for a Wyoming ranch.
Tucking the phone back into his coat pocket, he shook his head, debating on whether to cancel on Sabrina. He stared at the empty space next to him. Would she sit on the fence with him? Like his mom had done with Pops? Or would this place bore her like it had done with others? Only time would tell.
But for now, it was time for the farmer to take a wife. Or, in his case—the cattleman.