The Rancher Who Took Her In (The Bachelors of Blackwater Lake) Read online

  “Wow. I don’t know what to say.”

  He didn’t, either. If anyone had told him he’d be hiring a runaway bride that day, crazy would have been the first word that came to mind.

  The thought made him irritable. “Do you want the job or not?”

  “I want it.”

  He looked at the dress then met her gaze. “Do you have anything else to wear?”

  “No.”

  “You’ll need stuff. I can give you an advance—”

  “That’s okay. I can handle it.”

  “Okay.” He wasn’t going to argue. “Michelle can tell you where the discount store is and give you directions to the ranch. Like she said, it’s about ten miles outside of town. When you’ve got what you need, meet me there.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Dixon.”

  “It’s Cabot.” He looked at his watch and shook his head. If he didn’t leave now he’d be late picking Tyler up from school. “I have to go.”

  “Okay.” She held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Cabot. I promise you won’t regret this decision.”

  Time would tell. He shook her hand and the electricity that shot up his arm made him regret not letting Michelle handle the interview solo. But the diner owner was pretty close to dead on about one thing. He was a sucker for hard-luck cases. At least he wasn’t a romantic sucker anymore.

  When a wife walked out on her husband and infant son, it tended to crush the romance out of a man.

  * * *

  A few hours later, as Kate Scott was driving to the ranch, she figured a rush of adrenaline was the only explanation for the fact that she hadn’t passed out and run off the road into a ditch. She’d never been this tired in her life. As an athlete she was trained to eat well, get enough sleep and take care of her body. In the past twenty-four hours she’d done none of the above. Candy bars and coffee were nothing more than survival snacks. That was what happened when you drove from Southern California to Montana in nineteen hours.

  But the adrenaline rush in the diner had been unexpected. It had a lot to do with Cabot Dixon, she thought as she drove Angelica, her brother’s ancient truck, through his gates and beneath a sign that announced Dixon Ranch and Summer Camp.

  Serenity was the first thing she noticed. It was all about rolling green meadows crisscrossed by a white picket fence. Majestic mountains stood like sentinels in the distance. As the truck continued slowly up the long drive, she passed a huge house. It looked a lot like a really big wooden cabin with dormers and a double-door front entry. The kind of place Architectural Digest would have on the cover for an article about mountain homes for the wealthy.

  Following the instructions Michelle Crawford had given her, Kate drove past a real working barn, then a smaller barnlike building with a large patio and scattered picnic tables. That must be where camp meals were served. Beyond that were six spacious cabins. Michelle had told her the first five housed campers and senior counselors, and the last one, a much smaller cabin, would be where she’d stay for the summer. If she got the cook’s approval for the assistant-counselor position.

  She parked by cabin number six and turned off the truck’s ignition before blowing out a long breath. What a relief to just be still. It felt weird. Not good; not bad. Just...strange. She couldn’t remember the last time she hadn’t had a million things going on at once. Training, practice, competition and product endorsements made for twenty-hour workdays. Now she had...nothing.

  Sliding out of the truck, she noticed a little boy running toward her. Oh, to have that much energy, she thought.

  The dark-haired, dark-eyed kid skidded to a stop in front of her. He looked about seven or eight. “Hi. I’m Tyler, but most people call me Ty. Not my teacher, though. She believes in calling kids by their given name.”

  “I’m Kate Scott. Nice to meet you, Ty.” His features and the intensity stamped on them were familiar. “I bet your last name is Dixon.”

  “It is.” His long-lashed eyes grew bigger, as if she’d read his mind. “How’d you know?”

  “You look like your dad.”

  “That’s what folks say.”

  And when he grew up, he’d probably be just as drop-dead gorgeous as his father. It hadn’t escaped her notice that Cabot Dixon was one fine-looking man, which had probably sparked the unexpected blast of adrenaline at the diner. She hadn’t been too tired to notice that he wasn’t wearing a wedding ring.

  She’d felt only a little shame about the spurt of gladness following the observation. Shame because mere hours ago she’d been on the verge of getting married and now she was scoping out commitment symbols, or lack thereof, on the handsome rancher. It felt wrong to ask this little boy about his mother, so she didn’t.

  She looked around and saw the lake just past a grassy area beyond the cabins. “This is a nice place you’ve got here, Ty.”

  “It’s not mine. It’s my dad’s.” His expression was solemn, as if he’d been taught to tell only the absolute truth. “He told me to come down and let you know he and Caroline will be here in a few minutes.” The boy thought for a moment, as if trying to remember something, and then his expression changed. “Oh, yeah. And I’m s’posed to welcome you to the ranch.”

  “Thanks. That’s very sweet of you. I’m here for the camp-counselor job—to do whatever I’m told to do, which could be dishes. And I’m fine with that.”

  Ty nodded sympathetically. “I have to do that all the time.”

  “Even grown-ups have to follow orders.”

  “Not my dad.” She heard pride in his voice. “He gives ’em.”

  “I guess you can do that when you’re the boss,” she agreed. “I appreciate the welcome. Thanks.”

  Thin shoulders lifted in a shrug. “My dad would say that’s just the way it is here in Blackwater Lake.”

  For a second Kate felt as if she’d ridden a twister to the land of Oz. This was a place where folks made a person feel welcome because it was just a small town’s way. That was unbelievably refreshing.

  “Well, a stranger like me thinks it’s pretty cool to get a friendly welcome.”

  “Where are you from?” He looked up, and a ray of sunshine slicing through the tree leaves made him squint one eye closed.

  “I’ve been all over.”

  That was vague but still the truth. She trained wherever there were facilities for skeet shooting. Then there were competitions all over the country, all over the world, not to mention the Olympics. Winning had opened the door to lucrative product-endorsement deals, and fitting in those location shoots with everything else was stressful and challenging.

  Ted, her too-good-looking-for-his-own-good manager and weasel-dog ex-fiancé, had pushed hard to get it all in and now she knew why. Marrying her would have punched his meal ticket for life. The sleazy jerk had been using her. She’d been stupid to accept his proposal and move forward with wedding plans, but at least her instinctive judgment about the man had been right on target. She’d never once been swept off her feet when she kissed him.

  “My dad said you’re pretty.” The kid was staring at her, obviously trying to decide for himself if it was true.

  “He did?”

  Ty nodded uncertainly. “Caroline asked if you were as pretty as Michelle said. That’s Mrs. Crawford. She owns the Grizzly Bear Diner.”

  “I met her.” And obviously word about the weirdo in the wedding dress was spreading. “Your dad said I’m pretty?”

  He thought about that. “He just said ‘yes’ when Caroline asked if you were as pretty as Mrs. Crawford said.”

  That was something, anyway. Kate would have figured if he thought anything at all, it was mostly questioning her sanity for asking for a job while dressed for her own wedding.

  “That was very nice of your dad. Thank you for telling me, Ty.”

 
“It’s the truth. My dad says you should always tell the truth. People get hurt when you don’t.”

  She was curious about the moral and personal lesson that was in there somewhere. Maybe she’d find out, and maybe she wouldn’t. And maybe she was better off not wondering about it at all.

  “Here comes my dad and Caroline.” He pointed, then raced back down the road to meet them.

  Kate watched the man stoop down to his son’s level and put a big hand on the small, thin shoulder. He smiled and affectionately ruffled the boy’s dark hair before Ty continued running toward the house. One picture was worth a thousand words, and the one she’d just seen said Cabot Dixon loved his boy a lot.

  She waited and watched the two adults walk toward her. Now that she’d seen the ranch, something about it pulled at her, and she wanted very much to stay for a little while. It wasn’t hiding out, she assured herself. Just taking a much-needed break.

  Kate had always thought she was different from other women, so it was surprising to realize that she was having a clichéd reaction as Cabot approached. She found something inherently sexy about a tall, well-built man in worn jeans, white long-sleeved cotton shirt, boots and a black cowboy hat. What was it about a cowboy? He stopped in front of her and again she could feel adrenaline obliterating her exhaustion.

  A quirk turned up one corner of his mouth. “I sort of miss the dress.”

  “It’s carefully packed away.”

  “I thought you were going to burn it.”

  “Something to look forward to.” Kate glanced down at the new sneakers, jeans and red scoop-necked T-shirt she’d purchased at the big discount retail store in Blackwater Lake. “This is more practical. And comfortable.”

  “Amen to that.” Caroline looked to be somewhere in her fifties. She was tall with stylishly cut and discreetly streaked blond hair.

  “Kate, this is Caroline Daly.” Cabot looked from her to the other woman. “Caroline, meet Kate Scott, Blackwater Lake’s own runaway bride.”

  “It’s a pleasure.” Caroline held out her hand.

  Kate gave it a firm squeeze. “Very nice to meet you. And, just so you know, I had my reasons for leaving that toad at the altar.”

  “Cabot told me.” Sympathy brimmed in her blue eyes. “He also said you need a job.”

  That wasn’t technically accurate, but she did need to keep busy. She didn’t know any other way to be. “I could use work.”

  “Have you ever been involved with kids?”

  She’d mentored some of the girls in her sport and roomed at the Olympics with a younger archery competitor, but she had never coached. Then Ty’s words echoed in her mind. My dad says you should always tell the truth. People get hurt when you don’t.

  “I’ve never worked with kids. But I was one once,” she said hopefully.

  “Funny how that happens,” Cabot said wryly. “I don’t know what I’d do without Caroline. Not only is she a good cook and outstanding camp manager, she’s great with kids. Probably has something to do with being Blackwater Lake High School’s favorite English teacher and girls’ basketball coach.”

  “Wow. That must keep you busy.” Kate had had tutors in high school and had never attended traditional classes with other kids. Sacrifices were required at the level she competed and she’d never regretted it. Not until she found Ted kissing another woman on the day of their wedding and realized he’d been playing her for a fool.

  Caroline waved a hand as if it was nothing. “I like to be busy. I like to cook. Mostly I like the kids, and being around them keeps a person young.”

  “So that’s your secret to looking so youthful,” Cabot teased.

  Kate tapped her lip and studied the older woman. “Not a secret so much as embracing an attitude. In addition, I think you just have some good genes, the kind of DNA that makes forty the new thirty.”

  Caroline grinned. “You’re just saying that so I’ll give Cabot the okay to hire you.”

  “Busted.” Kate shrugged. “But seriously, you look timeless.”

  Caroline seemed pleased at the compliment. “If I were you, Cabot, I’d hire this young woman. Now I’ve got to get home and fix dinner for my husband. We own the sporting-goods store in town,” she added. “Food has to be on the table at a certain time so someone at the store can cover for him.”

  “I see.” And if her husband looked through the outdoor magazines that were probably displayed at the checkout counter, there was a good chance he’d seen her picture in an ad for camping and outdoor equipment.

  “’Bye, Caroline. See you next week when the kids get here,” Cabot said, watching her walk down the dirt road to her car parked in front of his house.

  When he looked back at her Kate asked, “So, what’s the verdict?”

  He reached in his jeans pocket, pulled out a brass key that probably unlocked cabin number six and handed it over. “I’m willing to give you a chance.”

  “Thanks.” Relief swept through her and took the last of her energy with it. Suddenly she was so tired she could hardly stand. Not even close proximity to this handsome hunk of cowboy could generate enough adrenaline to hold back a yawn. She shook it off and said, “Sorry. That’s not what I usually do at an interview.”

  “The first part was bizarre enough, what with the dress. And now it’s technically over since you got the job.” Sympathy softened his dark eyes before he shook it off. “Caroline’s a good judge of character.”

  “And you’re not?”

  His mouth pulled tight for just a moment. “I wanted her opinion since she has to work with you. I just sign your paycheck.”

  A dozen questions raced through her mind, but the one she really wanted to ask was Does that mean I’ll never see you? The deep disappointment generated by that thought was bewildering; she’d spent barely ten minutes in this man’s presence.

  “I like her,” Kate said. “Caroline.”

  “Me, too. A lot. So don’t make me regret giving you the job.” He turned and started walking away. Over his shoulder he said, “Get some sleep. You’re going to need it.”

  A shiver skipped over her as she stared at his broad shoulders. They tapered to a trim waist and a backside that would earn ten out of ten points from any female judge. But she’d learned her lesson about looks being shallow and superficial. She didn’t know Cabot Dixon from a rock. It was entirely possible that he used women and threw them away. Just like the man she’d almost married.

  Still, the attraction was just strong enough to make her hope that when the summer was over she didn’t regret taking this job.

  Chapter Two

  Two days ago when Kate had arrived in Blackwater Lake after driving for nearly twenty-four hours, doing nothing had seemed like heaven. Now she was rested, restless and bored. She sat in her one-room cabin that was comprised of a small stall-shower bathroom, full bed and kitchenette that had a four-cup coffeemaker, frying pan and microwave. She was grateful to have four walls, a roof and the small cozy space they made, but the smallness was starting to close in on her along with the realization that she’d run away from everything and everyone in her life.

  A walk before dinner seemed like a really good idea. After, she would head up to the big house and talk to Cabot about doing chores to earn her keep until camp started.

  She left the cabin and, as a precaution, locked the door. The ranch was remote and quiet and she didn’t have much to steal, but you could never be too careful. The beauty of Blackwater Lake lured her down to its edge, where she drew in a deep breath of sweet, clean air. Blue water sparkled where rays of sunshine kissed it, and on the other side, tree-covered mountains stood guard over the serenity.

  “So this is what peace looks like,” she whispered to herself. It felt as if a louder tone would violate Mother Nature’s sensibilities, and that seemed like a sin.

&nb
sp; When she’d looked her fill, she went the other way, past her cabin and the ones that campers and seasoned counselors would occupy in a couple of days. She was looking forward to that, to being busy. With too much time on her hands it was difficult not to obsess about how stupid she’d been to accept Ted’s marriage proposal.

  What a huge mistake she’d nearly made. And how anxious her parents had sounded when she’d called to let them know she was okay but refused to say where she was now. She needed time by herself, and God bless them, they understood. They had handled canceling the wedding and reception and were returning gifts. She had planned to take the summer off for a honeymoon and settling into married life. Now she had time off to figure out where her life went from here.

  The sound of a deep voice followed by childish laughter carried to her. Then she heard a muffled slap. As she made it to the top of the hill, she saw that in front of the big log-cabin house Cabot was playing catch with Tyler, who had his back to her. When the boy missed his father’s underhanded toss, the baseball rolled downhill toward her. He turned to chase it and stopped short when he spotted her.

  “Hi, Kate.” His smile was friendly and he seemed happy to see her.

  “Hey, kid.” She stopped the rolling baseball with her foot, then bent to pick it up.

  She couldn’t remember the last time she’d played any sport involving a ball. Once she’d started going to the shooting range with her father and showed an aptitude for skeet, her life had changed. Practice and competitions dominated her life. Before that she’d gone to traditional school, where organized peer activities were possible, but she’d never participated. All the family moves because of her father’s military career had made her reluctant to join anything. Then she found her best event. The sport, and being good at something, had made her happy. Until finding skeet shooting, she’d never fit in anywhere.

  “Are you going to stare at that ball all day or throw it back?” It wasn’t clear whether Cabot was irritated or amused.

  “Sorry.” She drew her arm back and tossed the ball at Ty. At least that had been her intention. It went way to the right of the mark and rolled away from him. “Sorry,” she said again.