If he let his dream take root, followed it through to the end, he might never leave this place. Sitting in a rocker on the porch, he’d sketched out some rough plans—laid it out until he could see every pen and stall, chute and walker wheel.
He’d need to build a bunkhouse and hire on a few hands, no more than five, to keep the place running smoothly. He’d want good people, hardworking and horse-loving. When he trained, he spared the whip and the spur. It had never been about dominating an animal. It was learning the best way to communicate with them. Respect was key—
“Click?” Tandy stood at his side. “You’re lost in thought. Making big plans for the place?”
He smiled down at her. “Just thinking.”
She shook her head. “Thinking? What’s stopping you, Click?” She rested a hip on the counter. “As Lynnie would say, time’s a’wastin’.” She paused. “Or how about, ‘You’re not getting any younger’?”
“You trying to tell me something?” he asked, running a long strand of her hair between his thumb and forefinger. So soft.
“Yes,” she murmured. “Do it. She wanted you to.”
He turned, focusing 100 percent of his attention on her. He cupped her cheek in his hand, his thumb smoothing her brow and running the ridge of her nose. The curve of her cheek was smooth. The swell of her lip, inviting.
Not yet. Not until he knew she was ready. He wasn’t going to take chances with her heart. Or his.
He swallowed, dropped a kiss to her forehead and stepped back. “I’m gonna ride out, survey the fence line.” The flash of surprise on her face almost made him rethink his objections. Almost.
Chapter Fourteen
Tandy was pulling the banana muffins from the oven when the house phone started to ring. She set the tray on the counter, pushed the stove shut with her heel and answered the phone.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Who’s this?” the voice asked.
“Tandy Boone,” she answered. “And this?”
“It’s Miss Francis, dear. What a pleasant surprise, hearing your voice.” The old lady chuckled. “Click offered to drive me to Alpine, and I wanted to make sure he was still available.”
“I’m sorry, Miss Francis, he’s out working. But I’ll make sure he calls you just as soon as he comes inside.” She jotted a note on the small tablet thumbtacked to the wall. “When were you planning on going into town?”
“Tomorrow afternoon. Monday traffic isn’t too bad.” Miss Francis paused. “You can come, too, if you’d like. I heard about the cabin. Bet you’ll be needing a few things?”
She chewed on the end of the pencil. Shopping someplace other than Fort Kyle’s Ranch and Farm supplies would be nice. Sure, they had plenty of jeans to choose from. But that was about it. “I’ll have to see if I can take the afternoon off, Miss Francis. But I appreciate you including me.”
“Of course, dear, of course.” She chuckled. “I can’t tell you how pleased I am to hear your voice.”
Tandy smiled. “You are?”
“Of course I am. That boy deserves some happiness. Seems to me, you’re that for him. You tell him to call me now, you hear?”
“Yes, ma’am,” she answered.
“Good girl. See you tomorrow.”
Tandy hung up the phone, staring at the yellow handset mounted to the wall. Banshee pushed her hand. “What?” she asked, smiling at the dog. “You can’t have a muffin, Banshee. It’ll make your stomach upset.” She ran a hand over his broad head. “But I did get you a treat.” She crossed the room, pulling the large box of dog biscuits from the pantry.
The phone rang again, making her spin and trip over Banshee.
She was laughing and breathless when she answered the phone. “Miss Francis?”
“No,” a voice said. “I’m looking for Aaron
Hale.”
Tandy frowned. “Click?” she asked.