Count on a Cowboy (12 page)

Trent laughed. “Sounds like Johnny. Just send him a pretty woman and he knocks himself out to impress her. He didn’t bother you, did he?”

“No. He was just being friendly. He asked if I was related to Laurel.”

Trent arched an eyebrow. “What did you tell him?”

“I just said maybe.”

Trent laughed again and it made her insides tingle. “Good job.” He walked to the back of the truck and pulled down the tailgate. He waved at two men and they began unloading the lumber.

Feeling that she was in the way, Brooke said, “If you don’t need me to do anything else, I’ll just head back to the cabin.”

“Hey, don’t leave. I want to show you around.” He shrugged. “Unless you don’t want to see what’s going on.”

Her pulse raced with excitement. “I’d love to see what you’re doing.” She nodded at the largest structure. “What is that building going to be?”

“That’s the Q and L Guest Lodge. Come on, I’ll show you inside.”

Surprising her, he took hold of her hand. She let him walk her across the rain-soaked earth for a closer look. Good thing she had on Laurel’s boots.

The two-story building had been framed, log walls had been sealed and the green metal roof was on. She heard the buzz of the saws and the pop of the nail guns in the background.

“It’s starting to take shape, but there’s still a lot to do. There were so many delays even when Aldrich was the contractor. So many things he said he’d done but hadn’t. Now I know why. He’d taken the money for himself and we couldn’t pay the vendors.”

Trent waved his hand, as if he didn’t want to discuss the man any longer. “My expectations are more realistic now. I’m shooting for the outside structure to be completed before next month. We’re nearly in October and we could get snow any time.”

She shivered, aware of the drop in temperature after last night’s storm. She only had on a thin jacket. “Is it possible to get snow now?”

He nodded. “That’s why we need to get the doors and windows we ordered. Maybe I should send you to the window guy. You seem to have a knack for getting things done.”

If he didn’t quit smiling at her like that, she’d melt on the spot. “I’ll help if you want. I’m used to supervising.” She prided herself on handling many situations. She hoped it was enough to get her hired at Dream Chaser.

“I was thinking I might have some suggestions for help on the inside.”

Trent called out instructions to one of the crew, then he came back to her and took her up the steps to a large porch and inside the building. The scent of fresh-cut wood filled her and she inhaled deeply. “Oh, it smells so good in here.”

He grinned at her. “I agree.”

Again she felt the strange tingling. She turned her attention to a great room that took up most of the first floor. There were the beginnings of an open staircase that was against the wall, climbing to the second floor. A stacked-stone fireplace took up most of another wall; the final wall was all windows, facing the glorious view of the mountain. At least, it would be windows when glass got put in. Now, the openings were covered in heavy plastic.

“This will be amazing when it’s finished. How many bedrooms?”

“There’s six,” he told her. “We’re planning to install an industrial, stainless-steel kitchen in back, hoping to rent the place out for big fishing parties, maybe family reunions and business retreats.”

“Wow, you aren’t messing around. I’m jealous. You’ll be able to get up close and personal with your guests. I can’t do that in a large Las Vegas hotel.”

“But we’ll never be able to compete with a name-brand hotel. The only amenities we can offer might be a continental breakfast and some Western barbecue.”

“Great idea. Work out a deal with Joe’s Smoke House to use his barbecue sauce and sell it right here.” She walked to a makeshift table covered in building plans. “At the front desk.”

Trent blinked at her, as if she spoke a foreign language. Okay, maybe she’d gone too far. “Sorry, I get a little carried away sometimes.”

“No, it’s okay. It’s just we hadn’t thought much past the furnished building, and me being the fishing and hunting outfitter. That’s how this idea for the cabins first came into play. The sportsmen wanted to stay closer than in town at a motel.”

“And you’re going to make good money with just renting the cabins to the hunters and fishermen.”

He stood back and gave her that stern look she’d gotten used to, but still wasn’t sure what it meant. “What else do you think we could do with this place?”

She couldn’t keep her excitement contained any longer as she raised her hands in a sweeping motion. “Since you have all this land, you could rent the building out for small weddings. Even team up with caterers and florists from town.”

“You seem to know a lot about this.”

“I might be a card dealer, but while in college I interned at the Dream Chaser Hotel and their main business is weddings.”

“But you’re Las Vegas—we’re small-town.”

“There’s a lot of competition there, too. You have to offer the client something special.”

“Weddings seem to be a lot of work.”

“Then just advertise the building for weddings inside, and land outside, too. Let the couple hire an event planner to do all the work. Just saying that you’re not always in the hunting season, but you’re always in wedding season.”

Suddenly, Trent gave her a teasing wink. “Hell, woman, I’m only trying to build hunting and fishing cabins and now you’ve got me thinking about weddings.”

Chapter Ten

Deep down, Brooke knew Trent was teasing, but darn, it didn’t stop the heat from creeping up her neck and face.

She couldn’t let him get to her. Keep the situation light. “You seem to have an aversion to marriage, Mr. Landry?”

“Damn straight.” He tossed her a wicked grin. “The only commitment I ever had was to the army, and that came to an end a while back.”

Suddenly she wanted to know more about his personal life. “You’re saying you never had a special girl in your life who made you think about marriage?”

“Maybe in my early years. But being career military, I couldn’t see leaving a woman home while I was off on a mission. Sometimes I was gone for months at a time.” He leaned against the worktable and studied her. “What about you, Miss Harper? Have you ever come close to marriage?”

She shook her head. “When would I have had time?”

His intense gaze combed over her. “Come on, a pretty girl like you, the boys probably flocked to you.”

He thought she was pretty.

“Since Laurel was fifteen, she’s had all kinds of guys sniffing around her. Rory had a rough time. Good thing he had a shotgun ready.”

A pang of envy hit her in the chest. “Were you one of them?” Oh, God, had she just said that?

There was the wicked grin again. “She was like a kid sister to me. But I helped weed out the bad guys.”

How nice it would have been to have someone watch over her.

He continued to study her. “You still haven’t answered my question. Anyone special?”

She shook her head. “I was more the studious type and had a part-time job after school so I couldn’t do social activities.”

Trent’s gaze zeroed in on hers. “I’m kind of glad those boys stayed away.”

Her heart raced off. “Why is that?”

“I used to be one of those teenage boys, so I know what they wanted, and it wasn’t a nice girl.”

“Sounds like you still don’t want a nice girl.”

“I’m well past wanting girls, I want—”

The sound of his cell phone interrupted his thought. “Excuse me,” he told her and answered it. He turned away as he talked. She glanced around the large structure. She would love to see it finished, but that wouldn’t happen.

She should head back to the cabin, but why? She had nothing to do there. Okay, she could go into town again, take her laundry, or play tourist for a while.

Trent said her name and she turned around.

“That was Ricky. Red Baron got his leg caught in some fencing.”

“Oh, no. Is he okay?”

“Not sure. I need to get to the ranch.”

“Of course. Go.”

“Would you go with me?” he asked as he waved for one of the crew.

“You don’t have to take me, Trent. I’m fine here.”

He didn’t look happy. “I need to get to the ranch, to meet the vet. Do you want to go with me or not?”

“Yes, I want to go.”

“Then let’s go.” He escorted her to the truck and helped her into her seat. He walked around the hood and called to one of the workers.

Common sense told her to stay away from Trent, but she didn’t care. Even if she told herself she was tagging along because she was concerned about the injured horse, she knew the truth. It was the man she wanted to spend time with.

* * *

T
WO HOURS LATER
in the barn at the Lucky Bar L, Trent stood in the large stall. Red Baron lay on the straw floor sedated, while the vet stitched up the long gash in his front leg.

He’d calmed somewhat over the stallion’s accident. He glanced at Brooke as she leaned over the railing watching everything going on. She’d been the cool one reminding him that his horse would be fine. He wanted to rip into Ricky for not being more careful with the valuable animal.

He glanced at her. And she gave him a smile that caused a funny feeling in his chest.

The large horse blew out a breath, letting everyone know the medication was wearing off.

The young vet, Matt Carpenter, quickly bandaged the leg, then stood. “Good thing I’m finished,” he said, stripping off his rubber gloves. He gave Trent an encouraging smile. “Red will be sporting about a ten-inch scar, but the X-ray shows no tendon damage. He should be fine to ride again, just hold off a few weeks. I’ll check him again in a week.”

Trent nodded, finally breathing easier as Red raised his head and blew out another loud breath. He rubbed the animal’s muzzle. “It’s okay, boy.” He thought his dream of breeding this magnificent horse might have ended today.

Trent stood and shook the vet’s hand. “I can’t thank you enough, Matt.”

“No problem, Trent. I like it when my day turns out this way.” The man shook his head. “I’d hate to have to put down any animal, but this guy is special.”

“I know.”

The vet looked at Brooke. “It was nice to meet you, too, Brooke. I hope I’ll see you again before you leave town.”

“Nice meeting you, too.”

Trent saw her uneasiness. The Quinns should be home tomorrow and he couldn’t help wondering how that was going to play out. But right now, his concern was his horse. Before the vet left, they both helped the stallion to his feet. Once Matt saw the horse hadn’t had any aftereffects to the drug, he bade goodbye and left.

Brooke watched as Trent went back into the stall and wrapped his arms around the stallion’s neck and hugged him close. The touching scene stole her heart. The big, tough army sergeant was showing his softer side.

Trent finally released his hold on the animal and looked at her. “I’m sorry this has taken so long.”

“I’m not complaining, Trent.” At the sound of her voice, Red came to the railing and she reached out. “You’re worth it, big guy, aren’t you?” She felt honored that the horse allowed her to pet him. “I’m just happy that you’re okay.”

“Damn, it’s nearly six o’clock. Come on, let’s go up to the house and see if there’s anything to eat.”

He came out of the stall and went to help her down. “Only if you let me fix it,” she told him. “You’ve been bringing me food for the past three days.”

“It’s not a problem, but I’m not going to turn you down if you want to cook for me.”

“Hope you’re not sorry. I’m not that good.”

The sound of his laughter echoed through the barn and outside. With the setting sun, there was a sudden drop in temperature. She crossed her arms to keep warm.

“Cold?”

With her nod, he placed his arm across her shoulders and pulled her close. “When we get to the house, I’ll make a fire.”

The picture of them snuggled together in front of a blazing fire had her warming all over.

He walked her up the steps, then released her and opened the door, allowing her inside ahead of him.

Even though she’d only seen the old-style kitchen, she was quickly falling in love with the house. Surprising her, he walked her into the next room, a dining room, with a dark mahogany table with six high-back chairs. He continued on until they reached a large living room with an open beam ceiling. The floors were gleaming hardwood, partly covered with Berber rugs. Two leather sofas were arranged in front of the floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace. A rough-cut log served as the mantel and above it was a huge flat-screen television.

“Wow! That’s quite a television.”

He shrugged. “What can I say? When I have the time, I like to watch sports.” He changed the subject. “I have some steaks in the freezer, how about I barbecue a couple?”

“Hey, I thought I was cooking for you.”

“You are. You can microwave potatoes and find a vegetable.”

“Sounds good,” she said as she glanced around. “May I use your bathroom?”

“Of course,” he said, and pointed down the hall. “Second door on the left.”

She started off past the staircase leading to the second floor. Was that where Trent slept? She shook away any thoughts about the man in bed. Opening the door to the old-fashioned bathroom, she smiled at the peach-colored tiles along the counter and in the large tub area. After using the facilities, she washed her hands and started back to the kitchen. In the long hall, she spotted a row of old photos hanging on the wall.

The first ones were older pictures of a man holding a large belt buckle. All-around cowboy. He looked so much like Trent it had to be his father, Wade Landry. The next picture was another one of Wade Landry, standing beside another man at a rodeo, big smiles on their faces. The second man was about the same height and build as Wade, but he had lighter coloring and auburn curly hair under his cowboy hat. Had to be Rory Quinn. Her father.

She released a breath. She’d seen Rory’s picture before. She’d Googled his name once she’d learned who he was, but seeing him on a family picture wall made it seem so real.