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Chapter One
Slightly lightheaded, Laura tried to take in everything around her. It was still so surreal, but she was actually here. In Marietta. In Grey’s Saloon, to be precise, one of the lovely old buildings on Main Street with a classic Western storefront, like most of the buildings in this part of town.
When she’d entered the bar minutes ago with Maria Baker, her new colleague, who’d met her on her arrival in town today, she had to blink a few times. It was the oldest building in town, Maria had explained. With scarred floorboards, tarnished mirrors, swinging doors, and a balustrade balcony running along the second story, she wouldn’t have been surprised if a line of chorus girls had appeared. It was like a scene straight out of a Wild West movie.
She’d read about Marietta’s history, of course. Reading had always been her escape, and she’d enjoyed researching everything she could find about the new town she was moving to.
When copper was found in the mountains around Marietta during the late 1800s by mining engineers, the place was flooded by prospectors, miners, and everyone else eager to get rich. Within ten years all mining had stopped, though. Turned out the copper had been more like fool’s gold. Many people left, but those who stayed put down roots, raised cattle, and worked the land. Today Marietta was a thriving community of ranchers with many shops and other commercial enterprises.
Smiling, Maria lifted her beer. “Welcome to Marietta. So, tell me, what made you decide to move here from Missoula? Don’t get me wrong, I love our small town, but it’s much smaller than what you’re used to.”
“Last October, my friend Maisy and I stopped here when we were on our way to Yellowstone National Park during school break and before she got married. For me, it was love at first sight. We stayed at Annie’s, the B&B, and I just immediately fell in love with Copper Mountain and the town. Annie and her husband were so enthusiastic about everything, we ended up staying two more days to soak up all Marietta has to offer—from walking down Main Street, admiring all the beautiful storefronts, to eating too many chocolates from the chocolate shop, to skating on Miracle Lake.”
“It’s charming, I agree, but still a huge change, isn’t it? What about your family?” Maria immediately held up a hand and grinned apologetically. “Sorry, small-town inquisitiveness. You don’t have to answer me.”
A strange tingle ran down Laura’s back. Was someone looking at her? Trying to ignore it, she focused on Maria. She was probably just tired, and that’s why she was imagining things.
“I lost my mom when I was eight and Dad passed away at the beginning of last year. So when Maisy got married in November and moved away to Los Angeles and I saw the ad about the post at Marietta Elementary School, it was like a sign telling me it was time for a change.”
Maria lifted her beer. “And then you got the job. You were by far the best candidate.”
Shaking her head, Laura laughed. “I still find it difficult to believe I got the job and that I’m here. There was nothing to keep me in Missoula. Dad’s house was sold and his estate finally wrapped up. I quickly found someone to take over the lease of my apartment. Another colleague who was helping out temporarily at school was looking for a permanent post and the rest just fell into place. And here I am. I have to admit, while driving here, I’ve been questioning my sanity! I like my comfort zones and this move”—she gestured with her hands—“kinda plucked me right out of it!”
“And what about a significant other? You’re so beautiful. Don’t tell me you don’t have a someone special?” Maria laughed. “Again, sorry. But everyone, and I mean everyone, is going to ask you that question.”
Laura grinned. She liked her new colleague. “No one special, I’m happy to say. I’m not really relationship material, my last boyfriend told me. Men are so needy—at least the ones I’ve been dating. And oh, my word, do they carry baggage around. They either have mommy issues or daddy issues or issues with exes. The last guy I dated for a few weeks still had hang-ups about his previous girlfriend. Don’t get me wrong. I know we all have things we have to deal with, but you don’t have to talk about it all the time.”
Maria laughed. “I think you’ve been dating the wrong men.”
“Maybe, but right now my goal is to enjoy life as a happily single gal and not get entangled in any man’s drama. I like my freedom and independence.”
Maria’s eyes twinkled. “In that case, you should steer clear of Janice O’Sullivan.”
“Who is Janice?”
“The self-appointed matchmaker of Marietta. You’ve met Annie and Craig. She’s Craig’s godmother and according to the gossip mill, it’s all Janice’s doing that they’re together. The fact that Craig’s cousin, Riley, married Mitch, Annie’s brother, and that Vivian, Annie’s sister, married Aiden O’Sullivan, also a cousin of Craig’s, are, according to rumors, also because of our Janice’s matchmaking skills.”
Alarmed, Laura shook her head. “I’ll make sure to stay far away from her. I have absolutely no plans to marry anyone.”
“You don’t have a thing for cowboys?” Maria grinned. “That’s usually the reason single women move to Marietta nowadays. Especially after the latest hit television show about Montana.”
Laura shuddered. “No cowboy for me, thank you. I prefer the men I date to drive a car, not a truck, and I like men clean, not all sweaty and reeking of animals.”
Maria leaned back in her chair, her eyes twinkling. “Well, then, this is going to be interesting. There is a cowboy sitting behind you who hasn’t taken his eyes off of you ever since we sat down. Really interesting. You see, he’s one of . . .”
“Maria!” someone called out and a man hurried closer.
Maria’s face lit up and she jumped to her feet. “It’s my husband. He’s been away…” That was as far as she got. Then the newcomer grabbed her and kissed her soundly.
Laughing, Maria finally pushed him away and introduced Laura. “My husband, Luis. Luis, a new colleague, Laura Anderson. She’s taking over from Mrs. Denton, who just retired.”
Luis smiled and greeted her. “You’re starting mid-term?”
Laura nodded. “Yes, I am. Maria has been so helpful today.”
He put an arm around his wife. “She is a wonderful teacher. Have you eaten yet?”
“We’ve just arrived,” said Maria. “I’m treating Laura to dinner, but you’re welcome to join us.”
Just then a harried-looking waitress arrived. “What can I get you?”
They ordered and Laura excused herself. She needed time to take a breath and give Maria and Luis a few minutes alone.
As she walked away, she turned her head ever so slightly to look at the table next to theirs. A pair of amber eyes, the color of the triple-distilled whiskey her dad had always preferred, met hers. Her heart kicked against her ribs. Wow, a real-life cowboy, if the hat resting on his knee was anything to go by.
Quickly she moved toward the bathroom, the tingle down her spine telling her he was still looking her way.
In the small room, she quickly washed her hands. Inhaling shakily, she stared at herself before combing her fingers through her longish bob. It was Friday, and Monday would be her first working day as a teacher at Marietta Elementary School. She’d left Missoula early this morning and had arrived just before lunch. It was only about a four-hour drive. Along the way she’d stopped a few times, so she wasn’t really tired, but she was going to excuse herself after dinner.
She was staying at Annie’s for a few days before moving into the rental house she’d been fortunate to find on Collier Street. Her furniture and books would arrive sometime next week, she’d been told. At some point she’d probably look into buying a house, but she wanted to take her time doing that.
Getting tingles down her back because a cowboy was looking at her was so not something she had time for right now. Squaring her shoulders, she opened the bathroom door. As she stepped out, she bumped into a solid body. Earthy tones of man and musk swirled around her. Immediately, all her senses jumped to attention.
“Sorry,” she muttered, and tried to escape, but the person in front of her wasn’t moving.
“Excuse me,” she tried again and, irritated, she pushed against him. Big mistake. Her hands landed on a warm, muscled torso. They both froze. She looked up. It was the same cowboy she’d caught staring at her minutes earlier.
Those whiskey-colored eyes didn’t blink. “You passing through town?” a deep voice rumbled.
She shook her head.
One side of his mouth lifted ever so slightly. “Pity.” His head dropped. “Something tells me you may not be so averse to sweaty cowboys as you think.”
Before she could catch her breath, he’d turned away and was walking through the swinging doors into the night.
Blinking, she steadied herself against the wall. Oh, my. If the first cowboy she met in town had this effect on her, it was a good thing she was living and working in town and would hopefully not run into any on a daily basis.
She quickly made her way back to the table. Her whole body was still tingling.
Hayden got off his horse. He’d been out with his two brothers since early morning, looking for stragglers. They’d probably join him soon. As he tied the reins to the gate at the small family graveyard at the foot of the hill, he inhaled the cold air and looked around him.
He would forever be grateful for a great-grandfather who had picked this piece of land and settled here. To the southeast lay Yellowstone National Park, and from here, you could feast your eyes on the snowcapped peaks of the Absaroka Range of the Rockies. To the northeast lay the Gallatin River. His family’s blood and tears had been spilled to work this land full of wildlife, hot springs, and roaming cattle.
Since the previous Friday night, he’d been out of sorts. It was Monday, ten days later, but he was still restless. Since he’d seen the blonde. Since she’d touched him. Since he’d inhaled her flowery scent. Since something had stirred inside of him, for the first time in a long time. What the hell had gotten into him, he didn’t know, but for one moment he’d thought if she was passing through town, he could take her to the Graff Hotel and have sex with her.
Muttering and cussing, he opened the gate and entered. Sex wasn’t something he’d thought about for two long years. Damn it, he didn’t have time for this. He had a ranch to run.
There was something in the way she’d held her head, the way her hair swung over her shoulders when she moved, that had caught his eye, and once he’d noticed her he couldn’t seem to look away. She was gorgeous. Honey-blonde hair fell to her shoulders in a straight bob. His fingers had itched. Literally. All he could think about was running his fingers through her tresses. And when she stood up and he saw those long, well-formed, jeans-clad legs, there was a moment he was worried he’d slobber all over the table.
The last time he’d felt such an immediate attraction had been when he’d met his late wife, Madeline.
With his eyes on the last two tombstones, he walked past the graves of his great-grandfather and great-grandmother, his grandpa and his nana, and past his dad’s until he reached the spot between his wife’s and his brother’s grave.
As always when he came here, the permanent band that had been around his chest for the past five years tightened. There was no getting over grief, he’d learned over time. You simply had to learn to live with the pain that would forever be a part of you.
Cancer had taken Madeline, his beautiful, loving wife, two years ago. He’d thought nothing could ever be worse than losing his brother, but then Madeline fell ill. Luke, their son, had only been six at the time. Hayden had no idea how he would cope, how to be a dad and a mom to their energetic and strong-willed little boy. He still didn’t.
And looking at his son, it was clear he wasn’t doing a great job. Since his mom had passed away, Luke had changed from a laughing, happy child to a silent one. His smile was gone. He rarely spoke. He’d started school just after Madeline passed and was now in second grade. Hayden tried talking to him about his day during dinner, but all he usually got was a shrug, so he had no idea how Luke was coping.
His siblings had their meals at the big homestead where he and Luke—and until two years ago, Madeline—lived. Isabella, the wife of one of the oldest cowboys on the ranch, Ricardo, had been cooking for them ever since he could remember. They all enjoyed each other’s company; it was also one of the few times he got to see his son. He would have to get creative and find another time to talk to Luke.
He should probably also go and see the teacher, but on a busy ranch there never seemed to be time.
Sighing, his eyes moved to the other grave and lingered over the words engraved on the cold marble. Walker Weston—you were loved, followed by the date of his brother’s birth and the date of the accident in which they’d lost him—February 11th, exactly five years ago.
And as always happened when he came here, the events of that fateful night flashed before his eyes. He’d been driving. Both of his other brothers, Becket and Cooper, as well as their sister, Willow, were in the car. Although they seldom talked about the accident, he knew his siblings were all blaming themselves for what happened too. The bottom line was, though, he was the one behind the wheel. He was responsible.
If only… Looking up toward the mountains, he swallowed against the lump in his throat. Of course, none of the if-onlys would bring back their brother, with his big laugh and kind eyes. Not one.
A soft footfall behind him had him turning his head. Willow was approaching and behind her, their faces grave, were Becket and Cooper. They’d also arrived on horseback; he’d been too preoccupied to hear them.
Wordlessly, they joined him and, for long minutes, the four of them stood quietly next to the grave, remembering their brother.
It was bitterly cold, the world around them robed in white, but none of them seemed to be aware of it.
Hayden finally cleared his throat. “From weather reports, the cold weather isn’t changing anytime soon. We still have enough surplus hay for the winter feeding?” It was easier to talk about things that needed to be done.
Becket nodded. “There should be more than enough. I’m on my way to check.” With a wave, he turned away.
“Have you seen Luke?” Hayden asked his sister and Cooper.
He caught the look between them. “No, I haven’t,” Willow said. She put a hand on Hayden’s arm. “Try talking to him instead of shouting, will you?” She cocked her head. “You okay? You seemed to be even grumpier than usual this week. Anything happened?”
“I’m fine,” he just about snarled.
Shrugging, she moved away to follow Becket. “See you later.” She stopped and turned. “By the way, Mom phoned. She said she’s texted everyone, but you haven’t responded. We’re all invited to dinner tomorrow evening. Or rather, late afternoon. Mom wants us there at six.”
Hayden frowned. “Whatever for? And what about Sunday?” Since their mom moved to the family house in town a year ago, Sunday lunch at her place was a standing, nonnegotiable date.
Willow smiled. “Sunday lunch is still on, sorry. Apparently, she’s getting a new neighbor and wants us to help welcome the person to Marietta.”
Hayden cussed and rubbed his face. He didn’t have time for a damn dinner in the middle of the week.
“I also haven’t seen Luke,” Cooper muttered as he waved and left.
Hayden grimaced. If his siblings’ reactions were anything to go by, Luke had again forgotten to do his chores. Something had obviously changed or happened in his son’s life over the past few days. The question was, what? And how did he persuade Luke to talk to him?
Damn it, on days like this, he wished he could ask Madeline how to handle the situation. Whatever he tried to do, he seemed to make matters worse.
It wasn’t as if Luke had many chores, but helping out, doing your bit on a big ranch, had been instilled in all of them since they could walk. And Luke had been helpful, even doing more than what he should until recently.
And okay, Willow was right. He had been shouting at his son. He didn’t mean to raise his voice, but he was at his wits’ end and didn’t know how to get through to Luke.
By the time he reached the homestead, it was nearly dark. Still muttering, he got off his horse. “Luke!” he called out. Their cook Isabella also looked after Luke, but his son was seldom in the house.
Silence.
“Jessie!” he tried. Usually, the border collie responded.
A bark from inside the barn confirmed where Jessie was. And, hopefully, Luke would be close by. Jessie’s water bowl was almost empty, he noticed, as he entered the barn.
Jessie saw Hayden and, barking joyously, she ran toward him. Luke was lying on hay in the loft, apparently still unaware of what was going on around him.
Hayden walked closer. “What are you doing?”
Luke quickly looked up, but it was clear he was still somewhere inside the pages of the book he’d been reading. Only after blinking a few times did he seem to realize where he was. Jumping up, he stashed the book in the front of his jacket. “Sorry, Dad. On my way.”
“Wait,” Hayden stopped him. “What the hell’s going on, Luke? Over the last week you haven’t been doing your chores.”
“’Cause I was reading,” Luke said.
“Reading?” Sighing, Hayden rubbed his face. “This is a ranch. Everyone has a job to do. Do you understand that?”
“Yes, but I . . .”
“No buts, Luke. I don’t want to talk about this again.”
With that stubborn pure Weston look, Luke glared at him. “My teacher says books are the most important thing in the world. They take you to places you can never otherwise go and I—”
“Your teacher?” Remembering Mrs. Denton, Hayden frowned. She was married to a rancher, so she should know how important ranch work was.
“Yes, she reads to us every day. It’s my favorite thing.” Just for a moment, something of the joy that had always been in his son’s eyes shone through, but then his shoulders dropped and he looked miserable again.
Hayden sighed. There was no getting through to the boy. “You remember what I always tell you about ranching?”
Luke nodded. “We are stewards of the land. It’s our ’sponsibility.”
“Exactly. And everyone must do their bit.”
“Yes, Dad,” he muttered, as he climbed down the stairs.
Hayden rubbed his face. Well, tomorrow first thing, he was going to see Mrs. Denton. He couldn’t remember her ever reading to them all those years ago, but maybe things had changed.
Muttering, he walked toward the homestead. He didn’t have time to go into town once, let alone twice in one day. Yes, it was winter and things were slower, but there was still a lot of work. With temperatures dropping, the cattle needed more feed to maintain their body heat. Then there was the problem they were having with elks, one that nobody seemed to be able to find a solution to. On top of that, they had to deal with the influx of people wanting to buy previously family-owned ranches because they’d watched a damn television show. They had money, but no idea what ranching meant. His blood started boiling at the mere thought.
But before he could solve other problems, he had to talk to Mrs. Denton.
End of Excerpt
