The Trouble with Cowgirls Read online

  Unfortunately, Lane had balked at his inclusion in her plan, informing Lucy he’d worked every job under him on his way up the ladder to assistant barn manager. He hadn’t been nasty about it, and he could’ve mentioned his almost promotion, but he hadn’t. Despite their differences, he’d been more helpful than she’d expected or even deserved.

  Lucy’s doubts in her own abilities had faded some during her second week on the ranch. Curly had been one of those rare employers whom everybody loved. As wonderful as he’d been, he hadn’t been exactly thorough when it came to documenting procedures and job descriptions. Lane had begun the daunting task after Curly had left. Lucy had a hunch he’d waited to spare the old-timer’s feelings. That was something she could always say about Lane: he put everyone else first.

  Lucy sighed. Would he have put their child first if he had known? She’d stopped asking those questions when she’d miscarried their son. Now she asked them every day. She wanted to relieve the burden she bore and tell him the truth. He thought he had the answers, but they weren’t the right ones. A part of her felt he deserved the truth and the other part said telling him the truth was selfish. He already detested what she’d done, but he’d hate the reality even more. She wanted to spare him the grief of losing a child he’d never even known about. If he never spoke to her again, she’d survive. But she refused to let him doubt himself or wonder whether if he’d said or done things differently before she left for Italy they might have had a different outcome. She’d lived with that self-doubt for ten years. Some days it had been all-consuming. She didn’t wish that feeling on anybody. No, things were fine the way they were. What he didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him.

  * * *

  LANE KNEW HE would find Lucy either in or near the breeding wing. It was where she belonged. Her master’s degree in equine science was more suited to breed management and he believed it was where her heart was. The last thing he needed was to worry about her heart. He had a hard enough time keeping track of his own.

  “Would you mind reviewing next week’s employee schedule before I post it?” Technically, he didn’t need her approval, but he wanted her to get familiar with the procedure since it was really her job.

  “Sure.” Lucy ran her finger down the list of names. “I thought Tracy was on vacation next week, and double-check with Rob about Thursday and Friday. He mentioned his mom was having surgery. You may need to reschedule him. It sounded pretty serious and I think he wants to be at the hospital that day.”

  Lane didn’t know what to say except “Good catch.” Her personal knowledge of the employees impressed him. It shouldn’t have, though. She’d always been very personable and outgoing. She had succeeded in separating their past from the present and he was still struggling to do so.

  “Great job, Lucy,” Cole said as he passed by. “I love the cross-training idea. I don’t know how you manage to get it all done.”

  You’ve got to be kidding me.

  “Thank you.” Lucy turned to Lane. “See, I’m getting there.” She beamed. “I know you still have doubts about my ability to do this job, but I’m determined to prove myself.”

  Lane didn’t want to tell her the only reason she’d been able to spend this much time with everyone was because he’d picked up the slack. He hated doing double the work, but her crash course had been a necessity. He just hoped it didn’t go to her head and lead her to think she knew everything about everybody’s jobs. One day shadowing someone didn’t make a person proficient. He also didn’t appreciate her taking over the policies-and-procedures project he’d been working on. She could’ve at least offered to work with him on it.

  “I will admit, I have fewer doubts than I had before.” It wasn’t a lie; he did have fewer doubts. He still doubted she’d last, especially if he wasn’t around to help her. “I’ll make these changes and post the schedule.”

  The walls of the breeding corridor began to suffocate him. Compared to the other wings, this one had far less traffic and noise. He had a million thoughts he wanted to share running through his mind. Every night, he laid in bed remembering all the people they’d both known. He wanted to catch her up on their lives and tell her about the new businesses that had come and gone in town. He wanted to take her dancing at Slater’s Mill just to prove some things stayed the same no matter how much time passed.

  “Great—thank you.” Lucy gave his hand a gentle squeeze as she passed him, surprising them both. It was a casual gesture she’d done a thousand times when they were kids. “Lane—I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—I shouldn’t have done that.”

  Lane couldn’t help himself. He smiled. Big. “I guess old habits really are hard to forget. Don’t give it a second thought.” Give it many second thoughts. “I need to get back to work.”

  “Me, too.” Lucy held her paperwork tight to her chest and quickly walked away, allowing him the pleasure of watching her leave. Maybe she hadn’t separated work from the past as successfully as he’d thought.

  * * *

  LANE LED TWO cutting horses to the rodeo school before he left for the day. The Langtrys had always conducted cutting-horse workshops and seminars, but this year they had added week-long clinics to their roster.

  He’d noticed Carina perched in her usual spot on the fence when he’d dropped the horses off. A half hour later, she hadn’t moved an inch.

  “We have to stop meeting like this,” Lane said as he joined her at the rail.

  “Are you stalking me?” Carina giggled.

  “Stalking?” Lane laughed, enjoying her smile. “I see somebody’s English has improved.”

  “I heard a cowgirl ask a cowboy that the other day.”

  Lane didn’t know if he should be amused or terrified at her statement.

  “You really love the barrel racers, don’t you?” Lane still hadn’t spoken to Lucy about his idea. After the way she’d bitten his head off the first time he’d attempted to, he hadn’t felt much like trying again. Earlier in the hallway would’ve been the perfect time.

  Carina’s smile brightened. “It looks like they’re flying.”

  “How would you like to take lessons?” Lane asked.

  She hopped off the fence rail and began jumping up and down. “Really? I want to so bad.”

  “Whoa! Wait a minute, you two.” Lucy startled them both. “Don’t you think you should have asked my permission first?”

  “Mamma, please!” Carina pleaded. “You ride English and Western—why can’t I?”

  “Because we can’t afford lessons right now and I don’t know the first thing about barrel racing to be able to teach you myself,” Lucy said. “What about your dressage training? Are you going to let it all go to waste?”

  “Actually, she can do both.”

  Lucy glared at him. “Lane, we can’t afford it. Why are you doing this?”

  “If you would stop a minute and listen to me, I’ll explain.” Lane had gone from having no women to deal with to trying to figure out two... Well, one and a half. “One of the barrel-racing instructors also teaches Western dressage at another facility. Carina would have the option—”

  “Honey.” Lucy cut him off. “Do Mamma a favor. Call Ella and ask what time we’re meeting them later for family game night.”

  Carina rolled her eyes, clearly not buying her mother’s stall tactic. Lucy practically dragged Lane into the bushes so they were out of Carina’s view. “You’re getting her hopes up and I can’t afford to follow through. I can barely afford to buy her new boots and take her to dinner tonight.” Lucy’s carefully practiced American accent faded with each syllable. “You’re making me look bad in front of my child.”

  Lane closed what distance remained between them. The rest of the ranch didn’t need to hear Lucy berating him. It had been difficult enough keeping his head up among the whispers when he’d lost the barn manager position. He didn’t need people talking about his public scolding by his new boss.

  “I tried to discuss this with you last week, but you never ga
ve me the chance. Instead you assumed I wanted to talk about us.” Lane lowered his voice. She was trying to do right by her daughter and he didn’t want to appear heartless. “I know you’re working hard to prove yourself here and at home, but don’t you see how much her demeanor changes when she’s around the rodeo-school kids?”

  “It’s all she’s talked about.” Lucy peered through the bushes at Carina talking on the phone. “Antonio gave her whatever she asked for. She never demanded anything—it was always within reason. She’s a good kid who wants her life back and I can’t give it to her.” Lucy looked up at him. “Then you swoop in and dangle a carrot in front of her and I have to tell her no. I’m the bad guy again. Thanks.”

  Lane reached for her hand, but she immediately pulled away, folding her arms tightly across her chest. He cursed himself for the constant need to comfort her. Especially when he was at fault.

  “I was outside yesterday when the bus dropped the kids off after school. Carina ran down that main road and beelined straight for the barrel-racing corral. You should’ve seen the smile on her face.”

  “I saw it earlier.” Lucy shook her head. “Her smile’s a rarity these days. I’ve actually had to look at photographs to remind myself how happy she used to be.”

  “Then let her be happy.” Lane tilted back his hat. “You don’t need to buy anything. She can borrow a horse and saddle the same way the other kids do around here. All she needs to do is show up. I will take care of the rest.”

  “Oh no.” Lucy stepped away from him. “I’m not allowing you to pay for my daughter’s riding lessons.”

  “And I won’t be,” Lane said. “Before she can even decide if she wants to barrel-race or try Western dressage, she needs to learn the basics. I’ve trained many kids to ride. I can teach her speed and discipline and at least get her to the point where she’s proficient enough to move on to one of the rodeo-school instructors. By then you’ll be on your feet and able to swing the lessons. And if for some reason you can’t, then we’ll discuss it. Will you let me do this for her? You don’t even need to be there.”

  “Ella said the usual time,” Carina ground out behind them. “Are you two finished talking about me?”

  Lucy pursed her lips. Her eyes darted between him and Carina. He wasn’t sure if she’d explode or belt him. Either way, it didn’t make an attractive picture.

  “Let’s hold off on the rodeo school,” Lucy said. A tiny muscle along Carina’s jawline pulsated. No child should feel that much tension. “At least for now.” Carina’s brows rose slightly. “Lane’s offered to teach you how to ride Western. You’ve never even tried it, so let’s see how you do and how you feel about it before we make any other plans.”

  Carina flung her arms around Lucy. “Grazie, Mamma. Ti amo, ti amo, ti amo!”

  Lucy enveloped her tighter, kissing the top of her head. “You’re welcome, mia gattina. I love you, too!” Her eyes shone with wetness as she met Lane’s and mouthed, Thank you.

  He nodded in response and headed toward the stables, allowing them time alone. It had been bad enough when one Italian cowgirl had gotten under his skin. Now he had two of them to contend with. Somehow their happiness had become a priority to him. And that was when he knew he was falling in love all over again.

  * * *

  LUCY HADN’T SEEN Carina this excited since before the divorce. She’d told everyone who would listen at Cowpoke’s Western Wear about the barrel racers. By the time they reached the Ragin’ Cajun, Carina was hoarse from talking so much. Lucy loved her enthusiasm, but why couldn’t she have chosen the safer Western dressage?

  Lane had taken Lucy to a rodeo once. It was where they’d shared their first official kiss. She couldn’t remember what event they’d been watching, but she’d never forget the way he’d made her feel that night. It wasn’t just her first kiss with Lane; it had been her first kiss.

  “Mamma, why are you smiling?” Carina dragged her back to the present. “Look!” She pointed to the bar area. “There’s Lane. Can he eat with us?”

  Lucy turned and saw Lane in a fresh pair of jeans and a brown plaid snap-front Western shirt. “I think he might be waiting for someone.” And that thought bothered her.

  Carina jumped off her chair and ran to him, practically knocking his drink over once she reached the bar.

  Lucy took a two-second composure break before she chased after her daughter. “I apologize. She’s really geared up tonight.”

  “That’s okay.” Lane’s slow, easy grin and inviting dark chocolate eyes were almost too much temptation to bear. If this had been any other time and any other place, she’d probably have given in to the attraction and kissed him until the sun came up.

  “Look.” Carina twirled in front of him. “I got new boots. Now I’m ready to ride with you.”

  “You’ve created a monster,” Lucy said.

  “Come to our table,” Carina interrupted, tugging on Lane’s hand.

  Lucy attempted to playfully cover Carina’s mouth with her hand but she squirmed out of her grasp. “I already told you, I think he’s meeting someone.” He looked too good to be dining alone. “I’m—”

  “I’m not meeting anyone.” Lane slid from the high barstool chair, leaving mere inches between them. “I’d love to join you.”

  Oh. My. God. She inhaled him. Crisp, clean and oh so memorable. Their first kiss, last kiss and every passionate moment in between flashed vividly in her mind like a movie montage.

  “Come on.” Carina grabbed both of their hands, pulling them toward the table. “Tell me more about the barrel racers.”

  “We need to discuss that further.” Lucy struggled to remain in the present. Lane pulled out her chair—a customary gesture she found extremely intimate tonight. “Thank you. Before she gets her heart even more set on barrel racing, I need a few questions answered. Starting with how safe is it? It looks insanely reckless.”

  “I’ve never seen anyone get hurt,” Carina answered for him.

  “You’ve watch experienced riders for a couple hours a day. I’m sure all of them have been injured at some point in their careers. Which happen to be very short, by the way.” Lucy cautioned.

  “If they are experienced, why are they in school?” Carina challenged.

  Lane leaned back in his chair, laughing as he rubbed his palms across the tops of his thighs. She’d almost forgotten about his left-side dimple. One more item to add to his devilishly tempting good looks. He was the forbidden fruit she didn’t need to taste.

  “What is so funny?” Lucy asked.

  “She’s you. She’s curious and fearless, the same way you were.” Lucy’s pulse quickened at the revelation.

  “Tell me about my mamma when she was my age,” Carina pleaded.

  “We didn’t know each other then.” Lucy handed her a menu. “Why don’t we figure out what to order instead?”

  Lane set his menu on the table. “I met your mom when we were both fourteen.”

  Lucy shook her head in warning. He winked in response, not helping matters.

  “Was she pretty?”

  If Lane’s reddened cheeks were any indication, Carina had gotten to him.

  “Honey, stop asking so many questions.” She felt a sting of heat rising to her own cheeks. A part of Lucy feared what he might say; the other couldn’t wait for him to respond.

  “Your mom—” Lane leaned across the table and whispered “—is still as beautiful today as she was the day we met.”

  Be still, my beating heart. It was one thing to work with the man, but laughing and joking at the table, publicly in a restaurant like a family...it felt too real...too perfect...and impossible.

  Chapter Seven

  “Mamma.” Lucy abruptly woke from a deliciously deep sleep. “Mamma, wake up.” Carina continued to shake her.

  Lucy sat upright, pulling her daughter close. “What is it, mia gattina?” She could barely make out her daughter’s figure in the darkened room. “What time is it?” She peered at the clock
on the nightstand. “You woke me up at five o’clock on my day off? What’s wrong with you?” Lucy collapsed back onto the bed.

  “Mamma, come on. We have to get ready.” Carina tugged the covers off her and turned on the bedside lamp.

  Lucy shivered. The room was chillier than when she had gone to bed. “Give me those. Ready for what?” She squinted against the offending light. “Turn that off, please.”

  “My lessons.” Carina pursed her lips together, her hands sternly on her hips. That was when Lucy noticed she was already dressed.

  Lucy reached over, flicked off the light herself and grabbed Carina, tucking her beneath the covers. “We have a few more hours. I’m sure Lane isn’t even awake.” Then again, if his night had gone anything like hers, he’d lain awake thinking of her the same way she’d thought of him most of the night.

  She’d enjoyed their dinner. A little too much. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt that free. For a few hours, she hadn’t worried about money or her job. Carina’s school and the move from Italy had buried their ugly heads for a while. It had been peaceful. She’d actually relaxed and enjoyed herself.

  “I thought all cowboys got up with the sun,” Carina said.

  “The sun isn’t even up,” Lucy groaned.

  “Can I watch your lessons?”

  Now she was awake. “Absolutely not.” The last thing she needed was her daughter wanting to learn how to ride cutting horses. It was one thing to race across a dirt corral by yourself. There was no way she’d allow her daughter on the back of a cutting horse, surrounded by cattle. “Both of our lessons are at the same time, in different areas on the ranch. If you watched my lesson, you’d miss your own. You wouldn’t want that, would you?”