Proposal at the Lazy S Ranch. Patricia Thayer

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      Her heart leaped into her throat. She sat up. “You didn’t need to bring my things up.”

      He set the bags over by the closet. “I told Vance I would. He needed to check on one of his horses.”

      She nodded. She wasn’t sure she believed him. “Thank you.”

      “How are you feeling?” he asked as he crossed the room.

      “I’m fine.”

      Garrett paused, his gaze searching her face. “I’m sorry I pushed you so hard. I was only trying to get you out of the way.” He frowned. “I was worried the truck would hit you.”

      She nodded. “I should have been paying attention. But I’m fine now, so you can stop feeling guilty.”

      He still didn’t leave. “Some habits are hard to break.”

      She knew what he was talking about, but their past was the last thing she wanted to rehash. “Well, stop it. I’m a big girl.”

      He studied her for what seemed to be forever. “Since you’re still angry, maybe it’s time to clear the air.”

      “I don’t think anything you have to say will change a thing.”

      He was big and strong, and he seemed to take up a lot of space in the room. “Josie, I don’t blame you for not wanting to see me again.”

      She raised a hand, praying he would just disappear. “I don’t want to talk about this, Garrett.”

      “Well, if you want me to leave then you’re going to have to hear me out first.”

      His gray gaze met hers, causing her pulse to race through her body. Darn the man. “Okay, talk.”

      “First, I’m sorrier than I can say for what happened all those years ago. I regret that I hurt you. But we broke up, Josie. We hadn’t been together all summer, and you wouldn’t even talk to me.”

      Just as it had been all those years ago, Garrett’s words were like a knife slicing into her heart. “Feel better now?”

      He released a breath. “Although I have many regrets about how things happened between us, what I’ll never regret is my son. He’s the most important thing in my life.”

      A son. She had to remember the innocent child. “I’m glad, Garrett. I’m glad you’re happy.”

      He gave a nod. “I just want us to be able to work together on this project.”

      She wasn’t even sure she could stay here. “Is that all?”

      He nodded, then turned to leave, but for some reason she needed to know. “Was she worth it?”

      Garrett paused and glanced over his shoulder. “I take it you’re talking about my wife.”

      Another pain shot through Josie. “Yes.”

      “Natalie was my son’s mother, so yes, the choice was worth it.” She saw the pain flash through his eyes. “But our marriage didn’t survive.”

      * * *

      The next day at the Temple Ranch, Garrett forced himself out of bed after a sleepless night. Josie Slater was back. He knew he couldn’t let her mess with his head, or his heart. Not again.

      Why was he even worrying? There was no room for her in his life. So for both their sakes, he hoped she was headed back to California soon.

      He walked down the stairs of his father’s home. Now, not only had it been Garrett’s for the past year, it was Brody’s, too. And this morning he’d taken off work from the construction site to spend time with his son. Soon the boy would be starting a new school, so today was going to be just for them. With Brody’s recent move to Royerton, he knew it was going to take some time to make the adjustment. And for Garrett to win his son’s trust.

      Since the divorce two years ago, it had been difficult on his child. Then his ex-wife’s recent death in a car accident had struck Brody yet another blow. Garrett hoped that a stable home at the ranch would help the eight-year-old. As his father, he was going to spend as much time as possible with his son now that he was the sole parent.

      Garrett finished tucking in his shirt as he walked into the kitchen. He found Brody sitting at the counter, eating a bowl of his favorite cereal.

      “Good morning, Brody.”

      He was rewarded with a big smile. “Morning,” his son murmured.

      Garrett smiled at the boy who was his image at the same age.

      Brody was tall and lanky, with a headful of unruly dark curls and big green eyes. The thing that tore at Garrett’s heart was knowing that his son would have struggles without having a mother around. As Brody’s father he’d vowed from the day he’d been born that he’d always be there for him.

      He walked to the counter and took the mug of coffee from the housekeeper, Della Carlton.

      “Thanks, Della.” He took a sip. “Sorry I wasn’t down earlier, but I needed to phone my crew foreman. How has Brody been this morning?”

      “A sweetheart. He does need his routine, though.”

      Garrett nodded. “Change is hard for all of us.”

      The short stocky woman had gray hair pulled up into a ponytail. “It’s so wonderful you brought him here. It’s been good for your father, too.”

      Garrett glanced around. “Speaking of Nolan, where is he?”

      “Jack Richardson came by and took him to a horse auction.”

      He frowned, thinking about his father’s arthritis. “Dad was up to it?”

      Della nodded as they watched Brody carry his bowl to the sink. “The new medication seems to be helping him a lot.”

      The main reason Garrett had moved back to the ranch was to help out his father. Relocating his construction company took longer, but business was picking up, and with his foreman, Jerry, they could still put in bids on long-distance projects. And now, Brody would be raised here, too.

      “Can we go get my horse now?” Brody asked.

      Garrett smiled. “Give me a minute.”

      “Okay. I’m going outside to wait.” The boy took off toward the back door.

      Garrett glanced at Della. The Temple men were lucky to have her here to help fill in with Brody. “We should be back from the Lazy S by lunch. If plans change I’ll call you.”

      The middle-aged widow nodded. “You just have a good time today.”

      Garrett knew today Brody would be meeting new people. He’d been so withdrawn since his mother’s death. “You think he’s ready for his own horse?”

      Della smiled. “I’m not an expert, but it seems СКАЧАТЬ