Chapter Twenty-Two
Shayna sat on the front porch, sipping her coffee and trying to take it all in. Everything had happened so fast, and yet it all felt so right. She’d gone from having no clue that Ty existed to being here in Montana, staying – living – with him, in this gorgeous cabin with an amazing view of the mountains, on his family ranch where his wonderful family lived too.
It might take some getting used to, but she knew it was the right move. Whether it would last or not remained to be seen. She wanted it to, but …
Ty stuck his head out of the door. “Do you want more coffee?”
“Please.”
She swallowed when he came outside, carrying the coffee pot. He was fresh from the shower, his hair was still damp, and droplets of water glistened on his broad shoulders. She bit down on her bottom lip. The first time she’d ever seen him, at the airport in Salt Lake, she’d thought he was the sexiest man she’d ever seen. Now, she had more intimate knowledge of just how sexy he was. Seeing him bare chested, his jeans still unfastened and hanging low on his hips …
He chuckled. “You want coffee – or me?”
She reached up to him and he set the coffee pot on the table before gripping the arms of her chair as he leaned in to kiss her.
When he lifted his head, he held her gaze. “You doing okay?”
She let out a short laugh. “So much more than okay, Ty. I’m just trying to take it all in, you know? It’s Monday morning – I should have been to the barn by now. I should be dashing home to shower and get to the store and …”
He cocked an eyebrow. “And?”
She ran her hand up his chest, then stroked his beard. “And yet, here I am, in this beautiful place – with you. I feel like I should be heading to work, or at least buckling down to study.”
He dropped a kiss on her lips. “Can you stand to just hang out for today? I mean, we can go and talk to Wade about what kind of work you might want to do at the lodge. We can go see Tanner and talk about how much you want to do with the horses. Or …” He frowned.
“Or what? Is there a problem? Something you’re not telling me?”
“No! No problem – there is something I’ve not told you yet, but it’s only an idea.”
“What?”
He squatted down in front of her, still holding the arms of her chair. “I know you probably won’t go for it, but I want you to consider it, okay?”
“Okay. I will – when you tell me.”
“You don’t have to do a damn thing, if you don’t want to.”
She gave him a puzzled look. “I don’t understand.”
“I mean if you want to take it easy and not work, you can just hang out. I mean, sure you can help out wherever you want – especially with the horses.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “I know Tanner would love that.”
She laughed. “I hope you know that you have no worries whatsoever about that?”
He nodded, but he didn’t look totally convinced.
“I’m serious, Ty. I get it – he’s a good-looking guy, but for one thing, I only have eyes for you. And for another, even if I’d never met you, I wouldn’t be attracted to him. Just because you can see that someone is objectively good-looking, it doesn’t mean that you find them attractive.”
She liked that he took his time to think about it before he nodded. “Yeah. I can see that.” He gave her a rueful smile. “You’re not just bullshitting me so that you don’t hurt my feelings?”
She laughed. “I promise you. And going back to what you were saying – I appreciate that you want me to take it easy, but I need to work, Ty. I have tuition to pay, and I don’t know what kind of rent we’ll have on this place, but I want to pay my way. I’m no freeloader.”
He took her chin in his hand and made her look into his eyes. “I know that, sweetheart. But I want you to know that I can cover whatever we need. Wade’s not going to charge us rent on this place. I make decent money, and …” He glanced over both shoulders as if making sure there was no one around to hear what he said next. “I saved most of what I made while I was active duty. I didn’t need much to live on, so I stashed most of it away. I can take care of us. I can pay your …”
She touched his cheek. “I love that you feel that way, Ty. I really do but …”
He nodded. “But you’re used to doing everything for yourself and that would be too weird, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay. I figured you’d say that – I’m not trying to come into your life and take over – but I need you to know that’s how I see it. If you want to do nothing other than study, I’m fine with that.”
She leaned in to kiss him. “Thank you. And are you just as fine with me needing to work and pay my way?”
He touched the pendant that hung around her neck. “I am, you’re my little busy bee, I get it. But if you start doing too much – getting tired from over working, then we might get into our first fight.”
She nodded slowly. “We are going to fight, aren’t we? I can’t imagine it yet, but it’ll come. It’s like Cash said – if we don’t, we’d be the first couple in the history of couples.”
“Yeah, and I kept meaning to tell you that I hope you’ll take him at his word. If you get mad at me, or if I hurt your feelings, and you need someone to talk to – you call him. The girls all gave you their numbers, too, and you might be more comfortable talking to them, but …” He chuckled. “Cash will have your back. He’ll kick my ass for me. And he’s great at talking you through stuff when you need someone.”
“And you wouldn’t mind?”
“Hell no! I want you to know without a doubt that he meant it, and that you have him in your corner. He was right that you need to know you have someone here. I know he’s not here physically, but one of the family. He didn’t want you to feel like you’re all on your own amongst my family. I don’t want that, either.” He held her gaze for a long moment. “I want them to become your family.”
“Okay.” She didn’t want to jump to the wrong conclusion, but it sounded like he meant … The way that his family would become her family was if …
He nodded and pushed to his feet. “But this isn’t getting the day started, is it?” He topped up her coffee before turning to go back inside. “I’ll go get dressed.”
She laughed as she watched him go. “Did you do that on purpose – come out with your naked chest on display?”
He turned back when he reached the door. “Damn straight I did. You looked like you were enjoying the view, so I wanted to remind you that there’s more than the mountains around here for you to fall in love with.”
“I already fell for you, Ty. In a big way.”
“Not as hard as I fell for you, sweetheart.” He grinned and turned around to shake his ass before he disappeared through the door. “And I don’t see the harm in trying to remind you why you should fall into bed with me again as soon as we get back.”
She grinned as she watched him go. “You’re talking crazy again – as if I’d need reminding!”
~ ~ ~
Ty glanced over at her as they rode back up to the big house after talking to Wade at the lodge. She’d been enthusiastic about maybe working behind the bar there – serving guests at lunchtime. That worked for him, if she wanted to do it – he was there at lunchtime. He was glad that Wade hadn’t even suggested that she should cover the evening shifts. He’d hang out in the bar if she needed to work then, but he’d rather she stayed home and was able to do her schoolwork, and he could be with her.
“How’d you feel about the lodge?”
She smiled at him. “I’m happy to cover whatever shifts he wants me to.”
“I know, but I want you to remember that today’s just about figuring out what your options are. We’ll see Tanner next – see what he has to say. I had a word with him yesterday and he wanted to know how much riding you’ve done – how comfortable you’d be helping with training.”
She grinned. “I’d love to. I’ve ridden since I was small. Not as much recently, but I know what I’m doing.”
“Good. I reckon that’d be more fun for you than mucking out stalls.”
“Absolutely, but you know I’m happy to do whatever’s necessary.”
He did know that, and he loved it about her, but as far as he was concerned, it wasn’t necessary for her to work her ass off anymore.
He parked at the big house, and Tanner greeted them with that annoying little wave of his, and a shit-eating grin as they walked down the path toward the arena.
Shayna laughed at the look on Ty’s face. “Does that cute little wave thing work for him?”
Ty had to laugh with her. “’Fraid so. He has women eating out of his hand when he lays on the charm.”
She shook her head. “Not this woman.”
“Good.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders when they reached the fence, and Tanner rode over to meet them.
“How are you settling in?”
“Great, thanks! I love this place.”
“And how would you feel about helping me out?”
“I’d love to.”
The way Tanner caught Ty’s eye and smiled before turning back to Shayna, made him relax. It felt like he was telling Ty that he knew how important this was to him.
“Ty thought you might be interested in riding.”
“I’d love to, but I’m happy to do the grunt work, too. Whatever you want to use me for, I’m here for it.”
Ty shot a warning look at his brother but couldn’t help laughing. “You might want to rephrase that, sweetheart.”
“Oh!” Shayna’s cheeks turned bright pink.
Tanner chuckled. “Why would you embarrass her like that, Ty?”
“Because I’d rather have things out in the open than have you smirking to yourself about the inuendo.”
Tanner shrugged at Shayna. “He has so little faith in me. Why don’t you come and climb aboard – you can show me how you ride.”
Ty rolled his eyes. There was no need for him to say a word.
Shayna just laughed. “Okay.” He couldn’t help watching her ass as she climbed over the fence.
Tanner slid down from the young gelding he was riding and winked at Ty while Shayna mounted up.
“What do you want me to do with him?” she asked Tanner.
“Totally up to you. Put him through his paces. Get to know each other.”
“Okay.”
Tanner came and leaned against the fence next to Ty as they watched her walk the gelding around while they got to know each other.
Ty smiled when she patted the horse’s neck and spoke to him. She brought him to a halt and had him back up a little way. She circled him to the left and then to the right. Then she took him out on a circuit around the outside of the arena. After a few minutes, it looked like she and the horse had been partners for years. She had him loping circles, changing leads, and just when Ty thought she was going to bring him back over to them, she took him to the gate that opened into the arena. The horse stood while she unlatched it, then moved quietly while she swung it open and then closed it, before standing quietly again while she closed the chain and latched it again.
She was smiling as she trotted back toward them.
“You lucky bastard,” Tanner said quietly before she reached them. “She’s gorgeous, a total sweetheart, she knows what she’s doing in the saddle and …”
Ty scowled at him when he waggled his eyebrows. “Be careful what you say next, Tan.”
Tanner laughed. “All I was going to say is that it’s obvious that she’s head over heels in love with you.”
Ty grinned. “That’s the last thing I expected you to say.”
“Seriously? Don’t tell me you don’t know it – even I can see it!”
“I don’t mean that – I know it. What I meant was that I didn’t think you’d consider that to be lucky. You run scared at the first hint of commitment.”
Tanner shrugged. “Yeah, but … maybe seeing all you guys …” He shrugged again. “I dunno.” He turned to Shayna when she reached them.
Ty couldn’t believe that she looked uncertain as she asked, “What do you think – how did I do?”
Tanner grinned. “You’re hired – if you want to be. Whatever hours you can spare, I’d love to have you work with me. And I mean training. No mucking out stalls for you, lady. You’re too good for that.”
Ty’s chest buzzed with happiness when she smiled at him, and he nodded. “Your talents would be wasted on the ground – you need to be in the saddle.”
“Thank you! But I don’t mind helping wherever I’m needed. I can do …”
Tanner grasped her shoulder when she dismounted. “Just because you can do anything, it doesn’t mean you should have to do everything,” he told her with a smile. “You’ll learn that around here.”
Ty gave him a grateful nod as she climbed back over the fence to join him.
“You guys figure out what kind of schedule’s going to work for you, and I’ll give you all the hours you want.”
“Thanks so much!” said Shayna.
“Thanks, Tan. Do you have anything you think might work for her?”
Shayna gave him a puzzled look, but Tanner grinned – he knew exactly what Ty meant.
“I do. That palomino I picked up at auction? I reckon she’ll be the perfect fit. She’s a stunner.”
Ty nodded happily. He knew the horse Tanner meant. He’d taken a liking to her himself when Tanner brought her home from the auction a few weeks ago. She really was a stunner, and there was nothing marish about her temperament – she was a sweetheart.
Shayna was giving them a puzzled look.
“You’re going to need your own horse,” he told her. “You’re not just going to be riding for work. We can hit the trails.”
The way she smiled made him feel like he grew two feet taller.
“Really?”
He nodded happily. “Really, sweetheart.”
Tanner had climbed back into the saddle. “Let me know what you want to do. And if I don’t see you before then, are you guys going to the bakery on Friday afternoon?”
“Probably,” said Ty, not wanting to commit to it until he’d told Shayna what the deal was.
“I’ll ride over with you if you are,” said Tanner. “Oh, and before I forget, Ford wants a word when you get the chance.”
“Okay. Do you know where he is?”
“Doing his least favorite thing – paperwork. He said he’ll be in the office at the house till he’s done.”
“Okay, we’ll check if he’s still there.”
“See ya later.” Tanner tipped his hat at them.
Ty checked his watch as they walked back up to the big house. He’d been planning to take Shay back to the cabin for lunch.
“Do you want to see if we can have a word with Ford now?”
“Yes. I like him. I know you said that he’s a loner, but I feel like he’d enjoy more company.”
He cocked an eyebrow at her, and she laughed.
“Don’t look at me like that!”
He laughed with her. “I’m not – not in the way you think. I’m not worried that he might steal you away from me. It’s just that most people would rather keep their distance from Ford. He’s nowhere near as grouchy as he makes out, but he puts on enough of a show that people are wary of him till they get to know him.”
She shrugged. “Maybe so, but I like him. I feel like he’s not against letting people in – it’s just that they don’t try. My dad used to be like that. He used to say that if someone took the time to look past his grumpiness, then they were worth knowing – if they didn’t, then they weren’t.”
“I didn’t realize your dad was grumpy.”
She smiled. “He really wasn’t but that was the front he showed to the world to keep them away. He was a big softie with my mom and me. Maybe I’ve got Ford all wrong, but I think he’s the same way.”
~ ~ ~
When Ty knocked on the door to the office in the big house, Shayna wondered if she had Ford all wrong. The way he shouted Come in made her want to turn around and run instead.
Ty grinned at her before he opened the door. “He’ll soon lighten up when he sees you.”
He was right. Ford was scowling when they stepped through the door, but he got up from the desk with a smile when he saw them.
“Hey! Thanks for coming over. How’re you settling in, Shayna?”
“Great, thanks. I love it here.”
“I’m glad. I know you came here to get away from what was going on at home, but I hope …” He stopped and glanced at Ty. “Shit, I hope I’m not putting my foot in it?”
“Nope,” said Ty as he smiled at her. “Shay already knows that I want this to turn into a permanent move.”
Her breath caught in her chest as she nodded. At some point, she was going to have to try to catch up with herself. The decision to come here had happened so quickly. The reason that she was better off away from Summer Lake still hadn’t really sunk in.
She smiled at them when she realized that they were both watching her expectantly.
“And I’m hoping the same. I just … it’s a lot to take in, you know?”
Ford gave her an understanding look. “I imagine it is. And the two of you haven’t known each other long …” He laughed. “Don’t look at me like that, Ty. I have my fingers crossed for you. I’m just being realistic.” He turned back to Shayna. “I know everyone’s offering you work, whatever hours you want to take, doing whatever job appeals to you the most. I can’t help you in that respect. I wouldn’t let you anywhere near the bunkhouse – or let the wranglers anywhere near you.”
“Too damn right,” said Ty.
Ford winked at her. “But I came up with something that no one else seems to have thought of yet.”
She gave him a puzzled look. He put his hand in his pocket as he came around the desk and when he reached them, he held out a car key. “You’re going to need a vehicle. I know you’ll be riding round with Ty most of the time, but even if you’re only going between your cabin, the lodge, and the barn, you’re going to want your own transport.”
She stared at the key for a moment before she took it. “Wow! Thank you. I …”
“It’s nothing fancy. It’s just one of the ranch trucks.” He frowned. “What do you drive at home? Have you driven a truck before?”
She laughed. “I haven’t but it won’t be a big deal. Mine’s a Tahoe; it’s old but reliable. It’s not like I’m transitioning from a tiny little car or something.”
“Good.” Ford turned to Ty. “Are we good?”
“More than good. Thanks, Ford. You’re right. I was planning on driving but …”
Shayna patted his arm. “I know, and I appreciate it. But you have to work yourself. I wouldn’t feel right making you ferry me around everywhere. This is better. And …” She didn’t know if she should say it.
She didn’t need to. He gave her a rueful smile. “You need the kind of independence that your own vehicle will give you.”
“Yeah. Thanks again Ford, this is awesome.”
“Glad to be able to play a little part in it.”
When they got back to the cabin, Shayna went straight to her backpack and dug out her keys. She was going to add the truck key to the bunch, but there were so many of them – and she didn’t need any of them here. Instead, she slipped off the keychain that Ty had given her in Salt Lake and added that to the truck key.
He grinned when he saw what she was doing. “Oh shit, wait. I need to …” He disappeared into the bedroom and came back a few minutes later with a small bag. She immediately recognized the Summer Lake logo on it.
He held it out with a smile. “I forgot to give you this.”
She took it and peered inside. “Aww! Thank you so much! That’s so thoughtful. I …”
He laughed. “I’d love to take the credit for it, but I can’t – Cash got that for you. He wanted you to have something that reminded you of … Summer Lake.”
She went to him and slid her arms around his waist. She loved the feel of his arms around her as he lowered his head and brushed his lips over hers.
“Okay, so I didn’t want to say that it would remind you of home. And you know why.” He raised his eyebrows. “Don’t you?”
She nodded.
He dropped another kiss on her lips. “But if this turns out to not feel like home to you, we can go back there, we can go wherever you want.”
She felt him tense when she asked, “Don’t you know where I feel like home is yet?”
He looked so sad that she had to tell him quickly.
She tapped two fingers in the middle of his chest. “Wherever you are.”
His eyes shone as he smiled. “Then welcome home, sweetheart.” He tightened his arms around her and lifted her. She squealed and wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her to the bedroom.
When they got there, he kicked the door closed behind them then threw her down on the bed. Hot desire trickled through her veins when he started to unfasten his buckle. He paused and asked, “You want to?”
She nodded eagerly. “Of course, I just …” She laughed. “I know it’s just habit and it’s not how things are right now – but I’m worried that it’s only lunchtime and I feel like I should be going to work somewhere.”
He shrugged out of his shirt and lay down on the bed beside her. “You’re going nowhere, Shay. And you don’t need to work at a damn thing, you just lie back and let me start making up for all the chances we missed.”
She nodded her agreement and lay back – she was more than happy to let him.