Catching the Cowboy: A Small-Town Clean Romance (Summer Creek Book 1) Read online

  According to Mayor Kane, the last time the fountain functioned was back in the early 1980s, before the mill shut down. While Jason did his best to get the fountain functioning, Emery planted flowers in the built-in planters that surrounded the fountain. She could just picture water gurgling in the fountain, a bright summer sky overhead, and the flowers providing a fragrant burst of color.

  Emery surveyed her work, pleased with the assortment of flowers the feed store had been able to order for her. Daisies, nasturtiums, pansies, and violets reflected flowers popular in 1910 while cinnamon pinks would provide a wonderful scent when they bloomed. Encouraged with how appealing the fountain area was beginning to look, she hoped Jason would be able to get the fountain running soon.

  Tomorrow, Walk Through 1910 would officially debut, at least to the town. The mayor, with his side business of locksmithing, had changed the locks on all the buildings that were now in the possession of the historical society.

  An inspector had come all the way from Portland to look at each building. He’d declared them structurally sound, even if many of them needed major improvements.

  Two of the old buildings weren’t among those Emery had purchased. One was owned by the Miller family. It housed the Miller’s real estate, insurance, and accounting offices as well as Parker’s hunting and guide service, and a few other businesses. While it was in fair shape, there were cosmetic improvements that could enhance the appearance to match the other buildings as they were renovated.

  The second building was located next to the old train depot. Kept in beautiful condition, no one knew who owned it. A landscaping service from Burns tended to the plants around it, and an office cleaning service from Burns came every other month to wash windows and tidy the appearance of the building. Even Jason had commented about being hired to check on the plumbing and pipes at least once a year, but he was paid through an attorney in Seattle and had no idea who owned it.

  Emery didn’t really care as long as the building looked good, although she wished it was one they could open for tours. Perhaps her father and uncle could help track down the current owner and see if they’d be willing to include the building in the Walk Through 1910 tours.

  The first time she and the mayor had inspected the buildings, Emery’s heart had dropped down to her feet. The interiors were dim, musty, dirty, littered with trash, broken glass, and rodents. She’d come across so many mice and walked into so many cobwebs, she thought she’d become somewhat desensitized to them.

  The former library building was one of her favorites, though. The wood inside was rich, albeit dusty, and it had the most spectacular curved staircase that led to the upper floor. Thick wooden shelves were built into the walls. Heavy tables and chairs covered the main floor. Even the old card catalog and original wooden counter where patrons checked out books were still intact. When she closed her eyes, she could picture happy young people whispering at the tables in the corners while elderly patrons eyed them with mock disdain. Oh, the stories the library could tell if only it could speak.

  At least the library was in good condition, considering the number of years it had been empty and abandoned. Only two windows were broken and needed to be replaced, so it was mostly a matter of cleaning, dusting, and polishing to get it ready, which is exactly what Emery and her band of volunteers completed earlier in the week.

  She’d gone to every business in town, from the daycare and vet clinic to the machine shop and forest service office, begging and pleading for people willing to lend a hand to her project.

  Whether it was guilt, her state as a young single woman who could offer a flirty smile when necessary, or a curiosity in seeing the old buildings that drove sixteen people to volunteer their assistance, she wasn’t certain. All she knew was that in the last two weeks, they’d managed to get the library whipped into shape and replace the broken windows. They’d also cleaned the old bank as well as what was once the milliner’s shop.

  With salvageable furniture she found in the buildings, and some she talked Nell into letting her borrow, they were able to stage the bank and the milliner’s shop as they might have appeared in 1910. Lewis Russell donated a few hats and dresses to display in the milliner’s shop on the mannequins Emery found in the basement of a former clothing store that closed in the early 1990s.

  The historic buildings needed so many repairs. Many were going to require entire electrical and plumbing upgrades, not to mention new windows and roofs. Wallpaper needed to be stripped, paint scraped, and floors refinished, but Emery was excited they at least had a few buildings in suitable condition to give the community an idea of her vision for the tour project.

  Tomorrow, they’d erect a big tent on the lawn at city hall, set up tables, and hold a community potluck after opening the old buildings for people to explore. Emery, along with the historical society board members and other volunteers would stand watch in the buildings, making sure no one stole anything or went into the areas they’d roped off for safety reasons.

  The finishing touch for the debut of Walk Through 1910 would be for the fountain to work again after so many years of serving only as a place where people threw trash or where leaves tended to pile up.

  It took Emery another hour to finish planting the flowers and to add a layer of red hemlock bark mulch. She stepped back and brushed off the gardening gloves she wore, then watched as Jason climbed out of the fountain base where he’d been working. Last week, he’d sprayed sealant all over the inside of the fountain in hopes that when they got it working, it wouldn’t leak.

  “Are you ready to give it a go?” he asked, stepping beside her.

  “You bet.” She offered him a gratitude-filled smile. “Even if it doesn’t work, I appreciate all you’ve done, Jason, and the hours you volunteered to do it.”

  “You’re welcome. Summer Creek is my home, and anything that helps it look more like the way it used to be, I’m all for it.” Jason filled the fountain with water, turned on the water pump, and they both waited, anxious to see if it would work.

  Miraculously, water began gurgling and soon flowed over the three-tiered fountain.

  Filled with excitement, Emery offered Jason a jubilant hug, then stood with hands clasped beneath her chin, watching the water cascade through the fountain.

  “It’s stunning!” she said, so pleased to see it work. “Thank you, Jason, so much.”

  “You’re welcome, Emery. If you’re this excited now, wait until you see it at night. I talked Liam Lake into installing lights. They should kick on at dusk.”

  “For that, you get another hug.” Emery hugged the nice-looking young man a second time. She didn’t know much about Jason, other than his great smile and easy-going attitude made him someone she considered a friend.

  Emery felt a bump from behind and looked down at Ethel. The goat tilted her head to the side and studied the fountain, then marched over to it, heading for Emery’s just-planted flowers.

  She hurried to step in front of the goat and bent down until her nose was nearly touching Ethel’s. “So help me, Ethel, but if you so much as even think about eating these flowers or any others I plant around town, I’ll turn you into a goatskin handbag. Is that understood?”

  The goat bleated, turned around, and scurried back in the direction of the vet clinic.

  Jason chuckled as he loaded tools into his service truck. “I don’t know if scolding Ethel will keep her in line, but it can’t hurt.”

  “She needs boundaries. It’s a pity no one with a few acres will take her in.”

  “Oh, several people have tried to give her a home, but Ethel seems to prefer being in town to a quiet farm life. Even Nell tried to get her to stay at Summer Creek Ranch, but I think Ethel beat her back to town.”

  Emery grinned. “Well, if she knows what’s good for her, Ethel will leave my flowers alone.” She stared at the fountain, delirious with joy that it actually worked. “Thank you, again, Jason, for all you’ve done.”

  “Are you grateful enou
gh that you’ll have dinner with me some evening? We don’t have to eat at the Bar and Grill or Maudie’s place. We could drive into Burns or even Bend.” Jason shot her a hopeful look as he loaded the last of his tools.

  Flattered by his invitation, Emery didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but she wouldn’t go to dinner with anyone unless it was Hud. He was the one she’d fallen in love with, the only one she wanted to be with.

  “I’m so honored you’d ask, Jason.” Emery placed her hand on his arm and smiled up at him. “You’re a great guy, and sweet, and so kind, but I just … ”

  “It’s okay, Emery. I get the idea you’ve already given your heart to someone.” Jason kissed her cheek. “For the record, he’s a lucky guy.”

  Before she was forced to respond, Jason’s cell phone rang. He waved to her as he walked over to his truck and climbed inside.

  Emery snapped photos of the fountain, then sent them to her father and uncle. She’d just walked across the street to city hall to close the historical society office for the day when her phone rang. A glance at the caller ID made her smile.

  “Hi, Daddy. Did you get the photos of the fountain?”

  “I sure did, honey. It looks fantastic. I’m surprised they got it up and running. Did you plant the flowers all by yourself?”

  “I did,” Emery said, feeling pride in her work. She’d never so much as picked a flower let alone planted one before she moved to Summer Creek, but Nell had taught her so much in the months she’d been at the ranch. “I had to chase Ethel away. I’m afraid she’ll come back and eat them all before tomorrow.”

  “If she does, I promise to pay for new ones.”

  Emery walked inside the historical office and sat down at her desk. The office wasn’t very big and sparsely furnished right then, but she loved it and what it represented. “Speaking of paying for things, did you get the message I sent about my car?”

  “I did.” Her father cleared his throat. “Are you sure that’s what you want to do? You’re positive you want to sell it?”

  “I do, Daddy. The historical society desperately needs money to get this project off the ground, and the proceeds from the sale of my car will be a good start.”

  “You’re absolutely certain a month from now you aren’t going to be tired of Summer Creek and old buildings, and want your car back?”

  “I’m one hundred percent certain, Daddy. I love it here and never want to leave.”

  “Does this mean your mother and I shouldn’t expect you home anytime soon? Are you so busy catching the cowboy of Summer Creek Ranch that we won’t get to see you unless we come there?”

  Emery could hear teasing in his voice and rolled her eyes. “I’m not catching anyone, Daddy. Even if I wanted to, I don’t think he’s particularly interested in being caught. Besides, I’m far too busy with the Walk Through 1910 project to have much time to think about anything else.”

  “I bet you’re doodling his name right now, as we speak.”

  Emery glanced down at the piece of paper she’d absently drawn hearts and curlicues and Hud’s name all over as she talked with her father. It annoyed her that he knew her so well.

  “Hmph.” She ripped the paper off the notepad, wadded it into a tight ball, and tossed it into the trash.

  Her father laughed. “I’m sorry we can’t be there tomorrow for the big community gathering, but I hope it proves to be a fantastic experience for everyone.”

  “Me, too, Dad. If we can get the community to support this, I think it will be a bigger success.”

  “I know it’ll go well, and you’ll do great, kiddo. If I haven’t mentioned it, I’m so proud of you, and so is your uncle.”

  “Uncle Henry sent me the nicest note. It made my mascara run, so tell him thanks for that.”

  James chuckled. “I’ll tell him, but we really are so proud of you, Emery. You’ve risen above your challenges and excelled far beyond what I imagined.”

  “You pictured me doing something so stupid, I would get thrown in jail and have to devote months of my life to community service to make up for my bad choices?” Emery hated that she’d gotten arrested and that a horrendous video of her, mostly her exposed backside, was still getting hundreds of views a day, but she didn’t regret coming to Summer Creek. Not at all.

  The time she’d spent in the tiny town had forced her to grow up and change in so many ways. She never wanted to return to the person she’d been before she arrived at Summer Creek Ranch—a spoiled rich girl who only thought of herself and took no responsibility for her actions. Emery could hardly stand to think of how obnoxious and awful she’d been.

  She’d accepted that every choice she made, every thought she had, was her responsibility and hers alone. No one made her drink the mimosa. No one forced her to try to get on the police horse. No one coerced her into trying to bribe Officer Tipton. That was all on her.

  Emery had come to realize many things since she’d been in Summer Creek. She’d seen herself with a clarity she never would have gained if she hadn’t come to a place where she was separated from a way of life that no longer held even the tiniest bit of appeal.

  Thanks to her father and uncle insisting on bringing her here, and to the Cole family for letting her stay, she’d found herself and her purpose in life. She’d developed a personal relationship with her Father in heaven and was thankful every day for His love and interceding on her behalf.

  And because of all that, she’d discovered a deeper level of affection for those she loved.

  “No, Emery, I never imagined a child of mine would be arrested for something as idiotic as trying to ride a police horse. By the way, Henry said Officer Tipton was quite pleased with your note and shared it with your probation officer. He said to tell you he wishes you well in your future endeavors.”

  “That’s kind of him.” Emery felt relieved the officer didn’t harbor any bad feelings toward her. A few weeks ago, she’d written a letter to Officer Tipton, sincerely apologizing to him for trying to ride his horse and being so rude. She really was fortunate she wasn’t serving time in jail for her ridiculous behavior. Most likely, she wouldn’t see the officer again, but she felt an urgent need to right all the wrongs she’d caused.

  Which was why she’d sent her father a list of all the things she’d broken or damaged at the ranch and had asked him to take funds from her savings to cover the expenses. He’d sent the money to Hud to pay for replacements, but Hud had returned the check to her and told her not to worry about it.

  Hud was such a great guy, a wonderful friend, and an incredible father. Just last night, she’d happened across a photo of him holding Cricket when she was a baby. The look of love, of pure adoration, on his face had made Emery’s knees so weak she had to sit down before she lost the ability to stand. Not a single doubt entered her mind about Hud’s ability to be an amazing father to his children.

  She could picture him in the backyard at Summer Creek Ranch, rolling in the grass with two little boys who looked just like him while she and Cricket sat on a swing, watching them play. The image was so real to her, she could almost smell the aroma of steaks sizzling on the grill and hear the laughter of her sons.

  Her sons.

  Emery realized how much she wanted children. Longed for them. But not just any children—she wanted Hud’s. She wanted to be his wife, be a mother to Cricket, have his babies, and create a future with him right there on the ranch where life was sometimes hard and hectic, but always fulfilling and worthwhile.

  “Are you okay, Magpie? You’ve gotten awfully quiet.” Her father’s voice held concern when he spoke.

  “I’m fine, Daddy. Thank you for asking. I was just thinking about the person I used to be. I don’t like her very much.”

  “Oh, sweetheart. Don’t be hard on yourself. You were never a bad person, just … ”

  “Spoiled, self-serving, arrogant, selfish, and obnoxious,” she interjected.

  Her father sighed. “I wouldn’t have added all that.”

&n
bsp; “But it’s true. I’m sorry, Daddy. I really was awful, and I don’t ever want to be that way again. Would you and Mom be terribly upset if I decided to stay here in Summer Creek?”

  “We’ll miss you, Emery, but it’s time for you to make your own way in the world. I couldn’t be any prouder of you and how far you’ve come these last few months. If being in Summer Creek is what made the difference, then you should stay there. I just want you to be happy and content in life.”

  Emotion welled in her throat as tears stung the backs of her eyes. “Thank you, Daddy. It’s too bad you can’t be here for the party tomorrow. Maybe you and Uncle Henry can come when we officially open the tours to the public. There’s a lot of work to complete before then, but I know it’s going to happen.”

  “We’ll be there, sweetheart. I promise. Now, is there anything I can help with from this end, other than selling your car?”

  “No, Daddy. I think that’s it for now. Oh, maybe, if it isn’t too much trouble, Mom could send my summer clothes. I’ve heard it’s supposed to get hot soon, and I’m not sure City Hall has air conditioning.”

  “I’ll ask her to do that.”

  Emery heard a sound in the background, like a muffled conversation, before her father came back on the line. “Have fun tomorrow and know we’re thinking of you and cheering you on.”

  “Thanks, Dad. Oh, before I forget, thanks for having Mr. Knight help with the initial paperwork. Will he be able to continue to offer his assistance?”

  “Actually, he’s assigned his son to take over. You remember Nathaniel, don’t you?”

  Emery wanted to roll her eyes. Her father and Nathaniel’s had spent years trying to force them together before they’d finally admitted defeat and giving up on being matchmakers. “Yes, I do remember him. He always seemed nice and polite. I haven’t seen him around for a while, though. Is he well?”

  “He’s fine, just busy with work, I think. He’ll be in touch soon.”

  “Okay. Bye, Daddy.”

  Emery tucked her phone in her handbag, turned off the computer, and locked the office door before hurrying out to her pickup. A glance at her watch confirmed she’d be right on time to help with dinner if she hurried straight home.