The Cowboy's New Heart Read online

  The house had felt lonely and forsaken when Cady arrived at the ranch a year and a half ago as the cook and housekeeper.

  Even with Trey and Trent living in the house, it still seemed shadowed in the past of what had once been a bustling, joy-filled home. With five ranch hands to cook for, it soon began to awake from its slumber. By the time Travis returned from his last tour of duty in Iraq and Cass’ adoption was final, the house was lively again. Trent married Lindsay and Travis married Tess, Bailey moved in which meant Brice was there on a regular basis and the house once again became the place everyone gathered.

  Denni was glad to walk in the door and feel the welcome from a busy, loving, happy family. Her family. It all started when Cady began working her magic the first day she arrived at the ranch. Looking at the beautiful brunette at the far end of the table, Denni watched her tease Trent, pass Lindsay a dinner roll and give Trey a look filled with love and passion.

  Knowing she was very lucky in the daughter-in-law department, Denni loved all three of hers like they were her own daughters.

  Loving Tess from the day she was born, Denni considered her part of the family long before she married Travis. Tess had been her honorary daughter throughout her growing up years.

  When Lindsay moved to Grass Valley to teach four years earlier, Denni became acquainted with her through school events. It was no wonder Trent had fallen head over heels for the woman, with her blond hair, sky blue eyes and towering height.

  Cady entered their lives when Trent and Trey hired her for her culinary talents. Calling to check up on the boys one afternoon soon after their housekeeper retired, Denni was surprised to hear a female voice answer the phone. They ended up visiting for a while and began having weekly calls. In the lovely hazel-eyed girl, Trey not only found the perfect woman for him, but Denni found a friend.

  Sharing many of the same interests, Denni felt a connection to Cady she knew was mutual. She felt much more motherly toward Lindsay and Tess than she did Cady, although they were all very close in age.

  All three of them, along with Bailey, had joined forces in trying to set her up on dates the past few months. The more she refused to go, the more determined they were to find someone Denni would date.

  She couldn’t get them to understand she never wanted to risk having her heart shattered so completely again. Losing Drew nearly killed her and there was no way she could face another experience like that. The only way to avoid it was to remain alone. Besides, she was going to love Drew until her dying day and there was no one who could take his place in her broken heart.

  Not even the very handsome man across the table who was raptly listening to Cass talk about her dog Buddy. He was so good with the little girl and seemed to have the ability to make her feel extra important and special. With his engaging blue eyes and infectious smile, no wonder her granddaughter was so taken with the good-looking man.

  “Isn’t that right, Mama?” Travis asked, looking across the table at his mother, waiting for a response.

  “I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t hear what you said,” Denni said, pulling herself out of her musings.

  “I asked what day you’re leaving for your trip.”

  “What trip?” Trey asked, trying to remember if his mom mentioned being gone.

  “The quilt show in Tucson,” Denni said, realizing she neglected to tell the other two boys about her plans. Mulling over the idea of going, she made up her mind last week to attend. Her assistant would take care of the store, a neighbor would watch the house, and Travis promised they would all check on Nana to make sure she was fine.

  “You’re going to Tucson?” Trent asked, leaning around Brice and Bailey to look at his mother. “Alone?”

  “You can’t travel alone, Mom. Anything could happen. You’re not used to the big city. I think we better discuss this,” Trey said, setting down his fork and turning his intense aquamarine gaze Denni’s direction.

  “I think you boys better just pipe down. I’m not a child. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself and I’m going. End of subject,” Denni said, slicing into her roast and taking a bite.

  “But, Mama, you…” Travis let his words drop off at the look Denni sent him across the table.

  Hart hid a smile behind his napkin. For a woman who looked so sweet and easy-going, it was quite entertaining to see Denni put her three strapping sons in their place. He admired her sass and determination, even if he did agree with the boys that she shouldn’t travel alone. She seemed excessively innocent and someone would see her as an easy mark.

  “Are you taking a quilt to enter in the show?” Cady asked. She shared Denni’s love of fabrics although she didn’t share her mother-in-law’s quilting skills.

  “Not this time,” Denni said, smiling at Cady. Denni often entered her quilts in shows and competitions around the region. “I’m calling it a research and development trip.”

  “When is this expedition taking place?” Hart asked, suddenly thinking of a few reasons he could travel to Tucson for a quick trip. He had friends there, business associates, investments he could check on. He ignored the voice in his head telling him he really wanted to go to ensure Denni was safe and spend some time with her away from all the watchful eyes and gossiping tongues of their little community.

  He didn’t particularly enjoy that one thing about living in a tight-knit small community. Everyone seemed to know everyone else’s business. He could sneeze at the café and his assistant manager would ask him if he was coming down with a cold when he got back to the gas station.

  It did come in handy, though, if he wanted information. A few well-placed questions and he knew all about the Thompson family. People talked about how they’d been in the area for more than a century, how Drew Thompson had been a well-liked, much-respected member of the community until he died of a heart attack almost eight years ago. He heard how Trey looked and acted so much like his dad, people still sometimes did a double take to see him walking down the street. He learned that Denni had been a young bride of only seventeen when Drew brought her to the Triple T Ranch. She was the youngest daughter of a well-to-do banker in The Dalles and spoiled to the point she was nearly impossible to handle. Something about Drew, though, tamed her wild ways and he helped her grow into a woman that everyone seemed to love.

  Looking across the table at her sparkling blue eyes and sassy smile, he could imagine her as a high-spirited girl. He liked a woman with gumption and Denni appeared to have it in spades.

  “I leave Thursday and will be back Monday,” Denni said, pushing potatoes around on her plate, waiting for the fit her boys would throw to erupt. It wasn’t long in coming.

  “No way, Mom. You aren’t going alone. It’s just not smart or safe,” Trey said, once again setting down his fork and staring at her. “What if someone tries to rob you or talk you into something? Nope. You aren’t going.”

  “Trey’s right. Anything could happen. It would be stupid to go alone,” Trent said, trying to glare at his mother around Brice and Bailey. “We forbid it.”

  “Can’t you find one of your friends to go with you? Why don’t you wait until one of us can take some time off and go?” Travis asked, ignoring the kick he received under the table from his wife.

  Denni gave a pointed look to each one of her sons. She wiped her mouth on her napkin and returned it to her lap then folded her hands together to keep from smacking the table in frustration. Taking a deep breath, then another, she willed herself to calm down and remember her boys were just trying to look out for her.

  “This should be good,” Cady whispered, just loud enough for Lindsay to hear. The two girls grinned and waited for Denni to let her boys have it. Anticipating a showdown, Hart set his fork on the edge of his plate and leaned back in his chair, glad he had a great seat to watch the action.

  “If my hearing hasn’t completely gone due to my old age, or I’m not misunderstanding what is being said thanks to my senility, what you boys have communicated is that I’m not smart, stupid I believe was the word you used, Trent. I’m incapable of getting myself to Tucson and back again without what? Being kidnapped? Held hostage? Blindly following some sweet-talking scammer and signing over everything I own? And you forbid me from going? Forbid?” Denni felt her temper bubbling and decided to let it go, rather than simmer it back down to a manageable level.

  “It would do you boys well to remember a few things, so I’ll spell them out for you right now. First, and foremost, I’m not some doddering old fool who’s taken leave of my senses. Although you all think I’m ancient, I’ve still got a few good years left so don’t go shoving me into a retirement home just yet. Second, you forget that your father and I traveled every winter. We not only traveled all over this great country of ours, but we also took several trips to Europe and even spent three weeks in Australia. I think I have some idea how to take care of myself while traveling. Last, but not least by a long shot, I will not sit here and let you boys get off with talking to me like a child. Don’t you ever, and I mean ever, mention the word forbid to me again. I brought each of you into this world and I can take you right back out! You three keep that in mind and show a little respect.”

  Trey, Trent and Travis did an admirable job of looking properly scolded while Tess, Cady, and Lindsay tried to hide their smiles, knowing Denni was the one woman who could take on the three stubborn, overbearing Thompson brothers and win. Hart caught Denni’s eye and gave her a conspiratorial wink while Cass sat quietly in her chair looking from one adult to the other. Brice and Bailey kept their eyes on their plates, although from Brice’s shaking shoulders, he was doing his best not to laugh.

  “Now that’s all settled, who wants dessert?” Cady asked, trying to smooth away the tension that lingered around the table.

  “I’ll help,” Tess said, getting to her feet and picking up empty serving bowls as she followed Cady to the kitchen.

  “Me too,” Bailey said, picking up dirty dishes on her way to the kitchen.

  With their backs to the group, their soft giggles could still be heard, causing the three Thompson brothers to scowl their direction. When Denni raised an eyebrow at her boys, they looked back down at their plates and sat quietly waiting for dessert.

  Once it was served, Denni patted Bailey’s hand where it rested on the table next to her. “Let’s hear your wedding plans, honey. You said you wanted to wait until after the holidays to talk about them and here we are half-way through January.”

  Bailey turned to look at Brice who gave her a heart-stopping smile before she looked around the table. “We’d like to have the wedding here at the ranch, in April, if that’s okay with all of you.”

  “Why wouldn’t it be?” Trey asked, eating a piece of coconut cake, his favorite.

  “Well, you’ve had so many weddings and excitement going on here the past year, we weren’t sure if you’d be game for another one,” Brice said, looking from Trey to Travis, who had been his best friend as long as he could remember.

  “We’d love to have your wedding here,” Cady said, thrilled at the prospect of another big celebration at the Triple T. People were still talking about Trent and Lindsay’s wedding from last summer. “Just tell us what you need us to do.”

  “We’d like to exchange our vows out by the orchard when the fruit trees are blooming,” Bailey said, thinking of her vision for a perfect spring wedding. The most important detail was having Brice there, so everything else was negotiable. “We don’t want a huge wedding, just family and friends.”

  “She doesn’t quite get the whole family and friends thing equating to a huge wedding,” Brice said, making everyone laugh.

  “I do, too,” Bailey said, bumping Brice’s arm playfully. “But we don’t have to invite half the countryside, do we?”

  “Of course not, they’ll just show up,” Travis said, grinning at his cousin. “Plan on a few hundred people being there and you’ll be just fine.”

  Bailey turned eyes, the same color as Trey’s, to Brice and he nodded his head in agreement. “I might as well give up now. Invite anyone you like, invite the whole county, just make sure you’re there.”

  “There is nothing that could keep me from showing up, sugar,” Brice said, pressing a kiss to Bailey’s cheek, making everyone smile. “I’d crawl on two broken knees if I had to.”

  They continued discussing wedding plans and everyone helped clean up after the meal. Hart watched football with the guys in the great room while the women sat and visited in the parlor.

  Cady happened to glance outside and noticed snow beginning to fall so Denni quickly decided to start for home before the roads got bad.

  The girls all walked her back to the kitchen where Cady put leftovers she’d set aside for Denni into a bag and placed it on the counter.

  So immersed in the game, the guys didn’t notice the snow or the fact that Denni was ready to leave. She finally whistled to get their attention. Trent turned the TV to mute and they looked her direction, noticing she was wearing her coat and scarf.

  “Leaving so soon, Mom?” Trey asked as they all got to their feet.

  “With the snow, I want to head home before the roads get slick,” Denni said, pointing toward the patio doors where the ground was already turning white.

  “Want one of us to drive you, Mama?” Travis offered, putting his arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him and hugged his waist.

  “No, baby, I’m perfectly capable of driving myself home, but I appreciate the offer,” Denni said, as he walked with her toward the kitchen door.

  Trent and Trey each gave her a hug then Trent took her keys and ran out to start her car and brush off the snow. Brice pecked her cheek and told her drive carefully then Denni hugged each of the girls, ending with Cass, who had been playing in her room with her dolls.

  “Are you still mad at the guys, Grammy?” Cass asked as Denni gave the little girl another hug.

  “No, sweetie-pie, I’m not mad at them, but sometimes they need put in their place,” Denni said, catching Trey’s eye and lifting an eyebrow at him in challenge. He looked chastened as he gave her a smile of surrender.

  “If we aren’t careful, she might give us a whipping and send us to bed without supper,” Trey said, hugging his mother again.

  “I never sent you to bed hungry,” Denni said, knowing all three of her boys received their share of spankings, though.

  “No, you didn’t. You’re a good mom, most of the time.”

  “Just remember that the next time you decide to get on your high-horse and run rough-shod over me.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Trey said with a laugh, realizing Hart was putting on his coat and walking out the door behind them.

  “One of us can run you home later, Hart, if you want to stay,” Trey said, as he held Denni’s car door and gave her a hand as she slid into the driver’s seat.

  “If Denni doesn’t mind dropping me off, I’ve got some things I should take care of at home. Thanks for the offer, though,” Hart said, turning to wave at the girls who stood huddled in the door, not wanting to brave the cold or snow. “And for lunch. It was wonderful as always.”

  “Come anytime,” Cady called before disappearing back inside the warmth of the house.

  Hart knew she meant it, too. He could show up unannounced at the ranch house, be welcomed inside and fed a good meal, then asked if there was anything else they could do for him. People like the Thompson family were rare.

  With a final wave and a promise to call when she arrived home safe and sound, Denni headed down the long driveway and back toward the freeway. Driving through Grass Valley, she asked Hart questions about the gas station and how he liked living in the area.

  Purchasing a run-down farm, he was working on turning it into a showplace just a few miles north of Grass Valley, closer to the small town of Moro. Tearing down the old buildings, Hart had a brand-new house and barn constructed along with outbuildings and corrals. As soon as the weather warmed up in the spring, he had plans for landscaping as well as the addition of more fenced pasture for his horses and cattle.

  Although Denni hadn’t been to his house before, she didn’t need to ask directions as she turned off the highway onto a side road then made the turn onto the road that led to his place.

  The house looked impressive as it sat on a little hill, overlooking the pastures below. With a façade made of thick logs and river rock, it was both rustic and inviting, especially with porch lights glistening through the white swirls of snow.

  “My gracious, Hart, your house is…” Denni was unable to think of an apt description. It was magnificent and imposing, yet something about it seemed homey.

  “Garish, obnoxious, a little too much?” he asked, wearing the broad grin Denni realized she greatly enjoyed seeing.

  “No,” Denni said, smiling as she stopped in front of the house. “I was thinking more along the lines of inviting and fabulous.”

  “Oh,” Hart said, surprised. “Thank you. I know you’re in a rush today, but I’d love to give you a tour sometime. If you’re interested, I’d like very much to have you make a custom quilt. Maybe I could show you around another day when you have time and you could see the room I have in mind for the quilt.”

  “I’d be happy to make you a quilt,” Denni said, impulsively squeezing Hart’s hand as he started to open his car door. Even through her glove, she could feel the heat from his hand creeping up her arm. She didn’t even know words to describe what she was feeling and thought it best to leave well enough alone.

  Deciding when Drew died her heart would never again speak of romance, she was convinced, even if she was willing, the words had long ago been forgotten.

  Hart gave her a long look that made her want to squirm in her seat before he gently squeezed her fingers in response.

  “Next time you’re in the area, let me know,” Hart said, opening the car door and getting out. “Thanks for the ride, Denni. I appreciate it.”