Finally Home (16 page)

“
But...you know independence now. You owned your own business, lived away from the ranch--”

“
It’s not enough...I have to be away from this place...or I’ll never be living my life how I truly want to.”

“
You’re not giving it a chance!” she jerked herself up from the swing. “You could have a whole new life here. We could make the ranch what it used to be.”

“
I already lived that life. I can’t afford to get stuck in it again, Amanda. It’ll consume me like it did my dad.”

“
We’re getting nowhere on this. You’re so stubborn!”

Noah stood slowly and pulled her roughly to his body, his hand molded against her back, his breath quick against her cheek. And when his fingers slid into her hair, she tossed her head back and whimpered. She rubbed her hand over his clean-shaven jaw and closed her eyes when his lips kissed her neck.

“
Like you said...I’m a scoundrel,” he whispered against her neck, then released her from his embrace.

She found it hard to keep her balance and fell back onto the swing. “I think I’ve finally realized that you enjoy that title.”

“
It’s not a title. It’s how
you
see me. You’ve thrown that description at me more times than I can count,” he shoved his cowboy hat back onto his head.

She didn’t know what to say. He was right. She had labeled him a scoundrel from the beginning. And even though she loved him, she had to admit that she
still
saw him that way. Maybe...because she saw all men that way?

She glanced at him, then shifted her eyes to her feet. “Maybe it would be best if we didn’t go to the Holiday Festival together after all.”

“
Probably so,” Noah agreed. “Maybe you can take Barrington, if he’s still here.”

She frowned at him as he turned to head into the house. “Brandon and I are not involved.”

But he didn’t seem to hear her. Just opened the door and slammed it behind him.

********

Amanda stroked Stormy’s thick, shiny coat. The little foal snorted and rubbed its head against her arm as she reached farther over the fence. “Still a little wobbly on your feet, I see.”

“
Here you are,” Brandon’s high-pitched voice startled her as he hobbled over to the corral. “I thought you were working.”

“
Finished up an hour ago,” she looked over her shoulder at him. “I thought you said you would never use those crutches.”

He shrugged and moved the crutches forward, hopping on one foot. “I’ve been laying in that bed for five days. I’m desperate to move around.”

“
It was nice of Dr. Adams to leave you those,” Amanda stated.

“
All right. I admit, he is an acceptable doctor.”

Smiling, Amanda turned back to Stormy. “So, will you be leaving once your ankle is healed?”

“
Amanda, I still wish I could change your mind. Chicago is such a better place for you. I spoke to my father yesterday and he is ready to offer you a position with our company. Executive Manager of the art department.”

“
Your father has been in Advertising for twenty-five years, Brandon. He’s a smart man who knows his business. So, why would he hand me a position that I’m not qualified for?”

“
Because he trusts my judgment and I know you could do the job,” he leaned on the fence, propping the crutches next to him.

“
My expertise is web design. Not commercial advertising,” she shook her head, blonde waves bouncing against her face. “Please, just give it up. I’m not coming back to Chicago. My home is here now.”

“
With that Noah West?”

She didn’t answer, didn’t have time to think, because a large brown horse raced toward her, bucking wildly with Noah holding onto its reins with fierce determination. The horse came to a turning skid only a feet from Stormy and then galloped to the other side of the corral. Scrambling over the fence, she hurried to protect the foal, but Noah yelled for her to stay out of the corral.

“
I don’t want Stormy to get hurt,” she shouted back to him.

“
Angel will take care of Stormy!”

And with that statement, she backed away from Stormy. Noah was right, the graceful white mare was galloping toward her foal.

“
Get out of there,” Brandon warned. “That horse is charging right at you!”

“
That’s Angel,” Amanda climbed back over the fence. “She’s just protecting her foal.”

She watched Angel nudge Stormy into a safe corner of the corral, then turned her concern to Noah. The horse he was riding seemed to be calming down, almost obedient now.

“
Why are they all standing around him? Is it some kind of macho contest?” Brandon observed the three ranch hands clapping their hands as they cheered Noah on.

“
It’s quite an accomplishment to break a horse, Brandon. Noah’s been working with that horse for several days.”

“
I just don’t see the attraction,” he whined. “How could you want to be with someone with such lack of sophistication, like him?”

“
That’s enough,” she aimed piercing narrowed eyes at him. “No more about Noah.”

“
No more
what
about me?”

Amanda twirled around to find Noah trotting the brown mare in her direction. She blushed, realizing she had been shouting at Brandon. “We were just talking about how well you did with the horse.”

“
Not really,” Brandon sniffed in disagreement. “Actually, I was mentioning how pointless I think the whole thing is.”

Noah gazed down at the man who was grating on his last nerve. “
What
is pointless Barrington?”

“
Why train a horse in such a manner? It’s just a macho show of power,” Brandon gazed sideways at Noah, his eyes halfway closed.

“
You don’t know a thing about being macho. You’d have to be a man to know that.”

“
A very rude comment that I would only expect from someone like you,” Brandon laughed as he tucked the crutches beneath his arms.

“
Isn’t it about time you mosey on back to the city?”

“
Noah, do you think Stormy will be all right?” Amanda interrupted abruptly in order to steer the conversation away from the unpleasant direction it was heading in.

“
Stormy will be fine,” he glanced at the foal and its mother. “Angel is a very nurturing mother.”

“
I feel like I’m on an episode of some farm animal television show,” Brandon sighed. “I will see you at dinner, Amanda.”

“
Good thing I won’t be there,” Noah clenched his teeth.

“
You won’t be at dinner tonight?” Amanda looked up at him.

“
No, I got other things to do,” his eyes flickered to her, then he pulled on the leather reins to signal his horse to turn.

“
Noah,” she called after him.

“
Yeah,” he stopped the freshly trained horse with no resistance. Twisting in the saddle, he stared at Amanda.

“
Great job with the horse. Another reason to be proud of something you did here.”

With a small smile, he nodded. “Just helping out the guys. I don’t have my furniture to work on, so might as well do something useful.”

A wave of guilt washed over her. “Can’t you buy it back from Mr. Ellinger?”

“
Honey, if I could, I would’ve done that a long time ago.”

“
Didn’t Thomas...leave you an inheritance?”

“
Just the ranch. He knew if he’d leave me money that I’d use it on my furniture business,” Noah rubbed his hand over his mount’s dark brown mane. “Just as I told you many times before, he disapproved of my career choice.”

“
I just can’t see Thomas as someone who would be selfish, Noah. I just can’t.”

“
I will always love my father. But never can forgive him for working so hard to keep me away from what I loved doing the most,” he gently massaged the horse’s stomach with his boot heels to prompt a trot.

Amanda watched him skillfully ride the once-wild mare into the barn, as an idea materialized in her head. Chewing on her full bottom lip, she pondered her thought. Noah had made a huge sacrifice for her when he handed over West Furniture to seedy Mr. Ellinger. Why hadn’t it hit her before? How he must truly care a great deal about her to give up...as he said only a few moments ago...what he loved doing most. Just so she could have Moonlight Ranch. So she would be happy.

But, as she realized now, she wouldn’t be completely happy with just the ranch. It was Noah she wanted. It had always been Noah. Unfortunately, she had allowed fear to enclose her in its shell, causing her to judge Noah...to mistrust him. But now it was time she sacrificed for
him
. And she knew just how to do it.

Rushing into the house, she made her way up the stairs and to Brandon’s room. Knocking lightly, she asked him if she could talk to him for a few moments.

Brandon propped himself into a sitting position. “I won’t pretend to be excited about this talk. I know what you’re going to say.”

She shut the door behind her. “Really? How do you know?”

He folded his hands on his lap. “Your Mr. West wants me to catch the next plane out of here. Right?”

“
No, that’s not what I want to talk to you about, Brandon.”

“
Oh,” he was surprised. “Then what is it?”

She stepped toward him, across the soft braided rug, feeling a bit awkward after being so indifferent to him the last few days. “Only you can help me. If you care about me like you say, you’ll hear me out.”

His mouth twitched. “What on earth is this about?”

“
I need you to buy something for me.”

“
Of course. I will buy you whatever you desire, Amanda. Clothes, cars, jewelry...you name it!”

“
I need you to buy a business from a man in town,” she sat cautiously on the edge of the bed. “His name is Edward Ellinger.”

********

Turning the collar up on her jacket, Amanda hopped from her truck and locked it. Couples and families were scurrying into the enormous dance hall to escape the blustery Texas weather. Immediately, she felt the urge to do the same as a strong breeze blew against her, causing her long silver gown to mold around her legs. Before entering the hall, she admired the colorful red and green lights flashing ‘Happy Holiday Festival!’ above the wide double doors.

She was quite disappointed that her grandparents weren’t able to make it to the festival, but glad that they were considering visiting her for Christmas. She had hoped her mother could join them, too...but her recent email had stated that her new husband was taking her to Greece for the holidays.

“
Miss Amanda,” Maria greeted her instantly as she stepped into the lively hall. “I was wondering when you’d get here.”

“
I had some things to take care of,” Amanda gasped as her eyes flew around the enormous hall. “Wow! Look at that tree...and all the decorations.”

“
Yes, it is beautiful,” Maria giggled. “Let me show you around.”

Their first stop was the coat-check room, where some cheerful ladies took Amanda’s jacket and complimented her on her festive gown. Then Maria led Amanda to the craft section. There were booths selling homemade Christmas wreaths, sweaters, quilts and ornaments.

“
And look at these!” Maria squealed like a child and placed a hat on her head, along with a pair of earmuffs.

Amanda snickered. A plump snowman was attached to the hat and the earmuffs were miniature reindeer. “You look fabulous!”

“
Maybe I should buy them for Mr. Barrington,” she batted her eyelashes. “It will be an early Christmas present since he will be leaving soon.”

Folding her arms over her chest, Amanda thought of Brandon. At first, he had been resistant when she asked him for his help a few days ago. And stunned that she wanted to sell her web design business in order to buy some pieces of furniture!

“
It’s not just pieces of furniture, Brandon,” she had said. “It’s West Furniture.
Noah’s business
.”

Of course, he had turned red with anger. “You want me to buy your business from you...but instead of giving money to you for the purchase...I’m supposed to take the money and buy West Furniture from a Mr. Ellinger? And you’re doing this all for Noah West? Are you out of your mind?”

She had pleaded with him then. “Mr. Ellinger won’t sell the furniture business to me! So, you’re my only hope, Brandon. I have to get Noah’s business back.”

Realizing how desperate she was, Brandon had softened. “All right! I’ll do it.”

“
Then, when you return to Chicago, you can sell the web design business and my large client file to the company I used to work for. I know they’ll pay you
double
whatever you pay me to buy it.”

He had smiled then, sealing the deal.

“
Ohhh,” Maria tried to regain her balance after Amanda bumped into her. “You are in dreamland, Miss Amanda!”

“
I’m sorry,” Amanda’s face turned pink. “I guess my mind was on something else.”