Chapter 7
Bright and early Saturday morning, the sun just climbing above the horizon, Abby arrived at Brady’s ranch. A sleek red fishing/ski boat was hooked up to the truck. It looked like a five-seater.
He smiled and gave her a nod as he lowered his truck’s tailgate. He looked great in a red T-shirt, khaki cargo shorts, and well-worn athletic shoes. His legs were tanned, telling her this wasn’t his first time baring them this summer.
Lady ran up to her rental, tail wagging.
Abby adjusted her ball cap and her ponytail before she grabbed a grocery bag from the passenger seat, along with her backpack. She climbed out of her vehicle, shutting the door behind her.
“Hello, girl.” She rubbed Lady behind her ears then gave her a final pat before she headed toward Brady, the dog trotting at her side. Abby had worn an old pair of Keds that she didn’t mind getting wet and muddy.
“Hi, Brady.” Abby walked up to him, and he gave her a smile that curled her toes.
“’Morning, Abby.” His biceps flexed as he took a couple of the fishing rods from several that leaned up against his truck and he stowed them in the back, along one side. “You’re right on time.”
“I do my best.” She raised the plastic grocery bag. “I stopped at the grocery store and got two packages of cookies. Chocolate chip and Oreos.”
“You’re talking my language.” He picked up three other rods and put them with the first ones. “I forgot to buy anything to go with the sandwiches, so that’s perfect.”
She set the bag with the cookie packages on the tailgate and picked up one of two tackle boxes that rested on the ground and put it beside the bag. “It’s a gorgeous day.”
He pushed in the tackle box and paused to smile at her. “Couldn’t have asked for better.” He grabbed a large ice chest and tucked the bag with the packages of cookies inside. He loaded the cooler into the truck to the left of the fishing tackle, then picked up a huge water jug and put it beside the cooler.
“Is there something I can do?” she asked as she watched him.
“Nah.” He worked to tie down everything so it wouldn’t fly out of his truck. “I’ve got it.” He paused to glance at the sky. “We’ve had a dry week, but it’s monsoon season, so you never know, we might get rain at the lake, or even tonight when we have the cookout.”
“I like Arizona monsoons,” Abby said. “The rain is refreshing and not dreary, and the desert smells wonderful after a storm.”
Brady nodded. “The earth in these parts is sure thirsty for it.”
She slid her hands into the pockets of her comfy cotton beachcomber shorts. “That’s a beautiful boat.”
“Thanks.” Brady cast a glance in its direction. “Her name is Legend.”
She grinned. “As in fishing legend?”
“That’s as good a reason as any I’ve heard.” He grinned. “Yeah, let’s go with that.”
She cocked her head. “Where are your sisters?”
“We’re meeting them at Lake Pleasant.” He slammed his tailgate shut, then checked to make sure everything was good with towing the boat, as well as double-checking the brake lights, too.
When he appeared to be finished with preparations, he said, “Are you ready?”
She smiled. “And raring.”
Truth was she was nervous as heck to meet his other two sisters. She’d liked Haylee a lot, but it couldn’t be that easy with two more females. Abby tended to be more comfortable working with and being around men. She did have three younger sisters of her own, which gave her good reason to be off balance when it came to meeting Brady’s sisters. She had no idea what to expect.
Well, maybe she did, but she’d wait and see what happened.
Brady whistled for Lady, who jumped into the back seat of the king cab. After he helped Abby up into the truck and into the front passenger seat, she put her backpack at her feet.
He made his way around the front of the vehicle and climbed into his own seat. He stuffed the key in the ignition and turned over the big engine. The truck roared to life, and he put it into reverse and backed up.
“How long is the trip to the lake?” she asked.
He put the truck into first and headed away from the house. “An hour and a half, give or take.”
She adjusted her seating position. “I’ve been so looking forward to today. It’s been a long while since I’ve been fishing. I really appreciate you asking me.”
He glanced at her. “I’m glad you could make it, Abby.”
The truck’s tires thrummed over the cattle guard as they started down the dirt road, heading away from the ranch house.
“Did you have breakfast? A package of pastries is on the backseat.” He glanced at her again. “One of my weaknesses is cheese Danishes.”
Her stomach growled and he laughed as he moved his gaze ahead. “That answers my question.”
Abby held her hand to her belly. “I’ve been sold out.”
She looked over her shoulder and saw a cooler bag. It was a bit of a stretch from the front seat, but she managed to grab it. She pulled out several napkins and a package of cheese Danishes, which she opened and handed a pastry with a napkin to Brady. “Here you go.”
He took them. “Thanks, hun.”
The light endearment took her aback and she stared at him a moment, wondering why he’d said it. She mentally shook her head. She’d heard cowboys say that to women a million times. What was she even thinking?
Abby bit into a Danish and enjoyed the flakiness and the sweet creamy cheese. She snuck looks at him, trying not to stare. He was so damned good looking. His arms were deeply tanned, the hair on his forearms golden in the early morning sunlight. He had firm lips that were quick to smile, and she wondered what it would be like to kiss them.
She squeezed her eyes shut. Whoa. Just whoa. She didn’t need to be having thoughts like these. This was a friendly outing, and he was a client. That’s it, Abby Buchanan. Get your head on straight.
The drive passed quickly once they were on the freeway. They chatted easily. Brady told her he’d decided on both the 3D fencing and the fixed knot version. He’d have the ranch fenced all the way around with the white 3D, and then pens and pastures enclosed with fixed knot.
“We can work out the details Monday, if you’d like,” Abby said.
He gave a nod. “Late afternoon again would be good if that fits your schedule.”
“Perfect.” She looked at Brady. “It just occurred to me that it’s Labor Day weekend. Isn’t it going to be busy at the lake?”
“Crazier than hell. That’s why we’re getting there so early.” He grinned at her. “Consider it an adventure.”
“I’ll bet,” she said. “Do you do this every year?”
Brady nodded. “Who goes fishing in the family just depends on everyone’s schedule. We’ll see who comes to the fish cookout when we get back.”
Abby’s eyes widened. “You have more family expected at your ranch tonight?”
“Not sure who all will be there, but you’re bound to meet more McLeods.” He glanced at her and grinned at what was likely a deer-in-the-headlights expression on her face. “Don’t worry. You’ll like them and I know they’ll like you.”
This was more than just meeting potential clients. This was coming face-to-face with family members of the man she was finding herself more and more interested in.
She blew out her breath. “If you say so.”
He reached over and placed his hand over hers and squeezed. “They’re a good bunch.”
The warmth of his touch sent heat straight to her core. She swallowed down her sudden nervousness. He drew his hand away and she let out her breath again in a slow exhale. This man had gotten under her skin in ways she’d never experienced before. He made her think of settling down rather than gallivanting around the west, going from ranch to ranch peddling her wares.
Abby clenched her teeth. This was just fun. She was not looking for a relationship.
They reached the lake before seven a.m., and it was already busy with people at the boat docks, fishing on the beach, and crowding campgrounds. At the dock, Brady backed the boat and truck down the ramp.
When they climbed out of the truck, the fresh air smelled fishy, but not in a bad way.
Abby spotted Haylee approaching with a woman on either side of her. Both women were pretty and dark-haired and looked nothing like the beautiful blonde Haylee.
“Abby.” Haylee waved to her, broke away from the other women and jogged up to her. She said, “Good morning,” with enthusiasm in her voice.
Abby smiled. “Hi, Haylee.”
Haylee inclined her head to the two women as they approached. “I’d like you to meet our sisters.” She gestured to the first to reach them. “Abby, this is Leeann.” She nodded to the other. “And this is Jill.”
She turned to the two women. “Girls, this is Abby.”
“Hi.” Abby smiled, finding herself nervous when she wasn’t usually nervous meeting anyone. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”
“Glad you could join us.” Leeann had long straight brown hair and the prettiest whiskey-brown eyes. She held out her hand and Abby took it. She had a firm grip and a pleasant smile.
“I’ve been looking forward to it.” Abby and Leeann parted, and Abby turned to Jill and extended her hand. “Hi, Jill.”
Jill, who had dark wavy hair and coffee-colored eyes like Brady, also had a firm grip. She looked at Abby like she was intrigued and curious, but also a bit wary. “Welcome, Abby.”
Abby smiled. “Thank you.”
“Ready to go, ladies?” Brady stepped close to Abby, making her feel a little off balance at his closeness.
“Yep.” Leeann pulled on a ball cap. “Ready to break your fishing record, finally.”
Haylee nudged Abby. “We’re all gunning for Brady, so one of us is bound to beat him. I’m rooting for you.”
Abby laughed. “No worries. We’ll get him.”
They stowed all the tackle and other gear, water cooler, and ice chest in the boat before Brady parked the truck. When he returned with Lady at his side, they climbed into the boat, put on life vests, and set out at slow speed until they got past the buoys.
Haylee wanted to handle the boat, so Brady turned it over to her. She opened it up and they shot across the water. They bounced with every swell they hit, and the roar of the engine was loud enough it was hard to hear each other.
Over the noise, Brady told Abby that Haylee was taking them to their favorite fishing spot. They’d gone there for years, and it tended to be a quieter part of the lake that not a lot of people fished at.
About ten minutes later, Haylee slowed the boat as they entered a small cove. She guided the boat in the deepest part and cut the engine. For a moment it was silent save for the slap of water against the side of the boat.
“Did everyone remember to get a fishing license?” Brady asked.
“Yep.” Leeann said and both Haylee and Jill chimed in with their yeses.
“I got mine online,” Abby said. “I intend to catch my limit of bigmouth and smallmouth bass.”
Brady broke out the rods and tackle as well as bait that was great for catching bass. “We’ll fish until two-thirty then pack up and head home for the cookout.”
Haylee handed out suntan lotion and sunblock. Redheads and sunblock went hand in hand, so Abby applied it liberally.
She baited her hook and found a spot on the boat to cast her line and settle in to catch fish. She reeled in several small bass that she threw back, then started keeping some that were big enough to meet her own requirements.
Brady, on the other hand, hooked some good-sized bass early on, which only made Abby more determined.
While they fished, the sisters kept conversation lively and they included Abby in their chatter. They barraged her with questions about herself and her family. Abby didn’t find anything they asked intrusive—it felt like they were genuinely interested.
Overall, she found Brady’s sisters fun to be around. He appeared amused and took their teasing good-naturedly and gave as good as he got.
“This one is a ten-pounder, I’d bet.” Brady held up the catch he’d just reeled in. “Looks like the biggest so far out of all of you.”
Grumbles all around, but they were good-natured.
The day grew warmer, and Abby put on more sunblock on her perspiration-coated skin. She’d probably be red regardless by the end of the day. She pulled her tank away from her to cool herself off.
Leeann dug into the ice chest around noon and passed around napkins and ham and cheese sandwiches that Brady had made, and Jill handed out canned sodas and made sure Lady had plenty of water.
Abby took a bite and thoroughly enjoyed the homemade bread, fresh-baked ham and deli cheese. She swallowed and sighed. “Everything tastes better out in nature.”
Brady nodded as he chewed a big mouthful of his sandwich.
After lunch, Abby supplied the grateful group with cookies.
Holding a chocolate chip cookie in one hand and his rod in his other, Brady moved closer to her. He sat near enough that she caught his scent of sun-warmed flesh and suntan lotion. “How’re you doing over here?”
“Thoroughly enjoying myself.” She held her rod with one hand and stretched out her arm, then swapped and reached out with her other. “Getting a little stiff from sitting so long, but it’s worth it.”
“I hear the fishing in Montana is fantastic.” Brady cast his line then settled in beside her. “I’d love to go sometime.”
She glanced at him from beneath the bill of her ball cap and smiled. “You have an open invitation to join me anytime. I need a new fishing buddy.”
“Consider yourself in possession of one now.” He gave her the cutest boyish grin. “What’s your favorite fish to catch there?”
“Pretty much any kind of trout, but I’m partial to rainbow.” She shifted her position and stretched her legs best she could. “Plenty of places to fish in my home state.”
He laughed. “I’ll have to take a trip up there sometime in the near future.”
She’d love to take him to every place she could. She liked being around Brady more than she could ever have imagined.
Leeann caught Brady’s attention from his other side, asking him a question.
Abby felt a hard tug on her line. After an even harder pull, she just knew this was going to be a big one.
It fought her all the way, so hard it strained her muscles as she gripped her rod and reeled it in.
The fish broke water and at first glance it was the biggest bass she’d seen. She set her jaw, determined not to lose it.
“Look at what Abby’s got,” Haylee called out.
“Holy smokes,” Brady said.
One final jerk of the line and the fish flew from the water and into the bottom of the boat. The girls giggled as it flopped around their feet and Abby set to grabbing it and putting it on her stringer.
“Looks like a twelve-pounder.” She held it up with satisfaction, muscles straining from the weight. “You have some work to do if you want to beat this one, Brady.”
He looked from the fish to her and back to his fishing rod and shook his head. “I’d best get my line back in the water.”
“Good luck.” Abby smirked at him as she slipped her stringer that was attached to the boat into the water.
Jill hooked a ten-pounder, tying Brady but Haylee and Leeann weren’t doing as well. They all caught fish other than largemouth and smallmouth bass, but tossed those back and only kept the bass.
The day sped by. Everyone’s stringer was nearing full by two—it had been a successful day for each of them.
“Thirty minutes left for you to keep your record, Brady.” Haylee added with glee, “I don’t think you’re going to make it.”
He narrowed his brows. “That’s all I need.”
Jill called “time” at two-thirty and Brady groaned. His sisters celebrated his loss and congratulated Abby, who looked at him with smug satisfaction.
“How many people do you think will be at the cookout?” Abby asked. “We have a dedicated dishwasher.”
Haylee grinned at Brady before turning to Abby. “Including kids, it could be anywhere from ten to twenty or so. We’ll have to see.”
She could be meeting ten, twenty, or more of Brady’s family members? Abby held her hand to her belly, thinking the fewer the better. She mentally shook her head. So much for being a social butterfly.