Jeremy’s own annoyance bled through the line, which worked to further irk her. She now realized what a mistake it had been to mention the problems plaguing the ranch this week. At first, she’d used the early morning call from the sheriff telling them their cattle had gotten loose and were wandering along the highway and the second episode with that damn raccoon getting into the stable and going right for Lady’s stall to terrify the poor mare as an excuse not to meet up with Jeremy to talk. But this morning, when she and Amy had discovered the new bag of pelleted horse feed she’d just picked up had been bug infested, put her in no mood to deal with his continued obstinance, regardless of her guilt over their relationship.
“I don’t know how I can be any clearer, Jeremy. I love this ranch, despite the problems that go with the territory. I’ve apologized for our split so many times, I can’t think of another way to say it. We’re through, I am not coming back, neither to Boise nor to you. Please, go home and move on with your life and do not contact me again, for any reason. For the last time, goodbye.”
She hung up before he could say anything else, tears pricking her eyes. From his behavior this week, no one would believe he was a nice guy, one who didn’t deserve a woman whose feelings were lukewarm, at best. It hadn’t been easy, but she’d kept her troubles with her ex and the extra work around the ranch from mishaps that kept popping up from Connor. Even though they’d gotten together every day this past week and he’d shown her how inventive he could be in carving out time and a place for a quickie that left her shaking with satisfaction in more ways than one, their relationship was still too new and fragile to burden it with problems she was perfectly capable of handling on her own.
He had his own hands full working the Dunbar spread and prepping for the barbeque she was looking forward to attending this afternoon, even more so after he’d opted to spend last night alone with her instead of going to the club again after Amy announced she would be at Jason’s all night. His refusal to stay the night in her bed with her stepmother down the hall tickled her with his sense of honor. Tamara had to admit she enjoyed the evenings alone with him as much as she had socializing and playing at The Barn.
But Connor hadn’t said a word or given her a hint about where they might be headed, or about his feelings now that they were a couple. His determination to remain footloose and free of committed entanglements his entire adult life couldn’t be discounted in one short week, especially given his reluctance to enter into this relationship in the first place.
“Jeremy again?” Amy asked, coming into the kitchen as Tamara tossed her phone on the table.
“Yes, but I’m hoping I was blunt enough to send him back home.”
“You’ve been blunt before,” Amy reminded her as she pulled the large bowl of potato salad from the refrigerator.
“I know, but I keep hoping one of these times it’ll get through to him. I still can’t believe he just showed up here last week. I never dreamed he would be that desperate to get back together.” The oven buzzed and Tamara retrieved the batch of dark chocolate brownies she’d made for the barbeque.
“Hopefully, he’ll give up now.” Amy eyed the brownies with hunger, taking a deep, appreciative whiff. “Oh, those smell wonderful. Are you riding over with Jason and me?”
“Yes, that’ll be easiest. Connor can bring me back, or I might go to his place. I’ll let you know. Thank goodness Jason hired a new hand this week. He’s assigned him and Mark to keep an eye on things while we’re gone since everyone else will be at the barbeque. Let’s hope this run of bad luck has ended.”
“There have been an unusual number of problems. What did you think of Jason’s suggestion someone might be screwing with us?”
Leaning against the counter, Tamara sighed at the possibility kids were behind all of the problems. “There’s always that to consider. Teenagers get bored.”
Amy’s lips twitched. “Yes, I remember.”
“Hey, I was a good kid.” She smiled back.
“Yes, you were, but Connor helped keep you that way and stepped in before you could get yourself in too much trouble,” Amy reminded her.
“His overprotectiveness did put a crimp in my fun.”
“But he’s worth it?”
Tamara’s smile split her face. “Oh, yeah.” At least, she prayed he would continue to be.
Laughing, Amy grabbed the bowl and turned toward the door, hearing Jason’s truck pull up out front. “Let’s go before he comes looking for us.”
Over fifty friends and neighbors were gathered on the sweeping lawn surrounding Caden’s home. Tamara used to love riding over here when she’d been younger and hanging out with Connor while he worked. Now, she mused as she got out of Jason’s truck, she much preferred hanging out at Connor’s house, and staying the night in his bed over watching him work. Although, as she caught sight of him leaning on a rail at the horse corral, his tight jeans stretched across his backside, a pair of chaps framing his pelvis and his Stetson shading his roughhewn face, there was definitely something to be said about taking a moment to ogle him now.
“Here, I’ll take your brownies over to the food table. Jason can carry the potato salad. You go on,” Amy offered after seeing where Tamara’s gaze had landed.
“Thanks. Catch you later.” Tamara handed Amy her pan and took off toward the corral, spotting Avery, Sydney and Nan standing opposite the guys.
She waved to people she knew as she passed the long tables and small gatherings. One of the hands led a pony carrying a toddler around in circles, the sight reminding her of her first horseback ride, and the beginning of her special relationship with Connor. For the first time since he’d driven her away with his hurtful words five years ago, she allowed herself to feel a glimmer of hope they were heading for a future that would be as special, if not more so.
With a loud whoop, Caden bounced on top of a bucking bronco, keeping his seat with a tight grip on the reins and pommel. “You’d think they would be getting too old for this,” Tamara drawled as she settled next to Nan at the rail and leaned her arms on the top post. Her eyes slid across the dusty corral to Connor, who returned her smile with a thumbs-up gesture as Caden managed to slow the horse’s efforts down enough to jump off with a wide grin of accomplishment. Connor hopped the fence to take his turn on the unbroken steed, slapping his brother on the back as he taunted him with a laugh. “Too much for you, old man? Watch how it’s done.”
Nan smiled, shaking her head as Caden flipped Connor the bird. “I don’t think they’ll ever consider themselves too old to play. Damn, they make a nice picture, don’t they?” She nodded to where Caden swung over the fence, joining Grayson and Dan outside the corral as Connor settled onto the back of the quivering horse, both appearing eager to see who would win this round.
“One I never get tired of,” Sydney stated from Nan’s left. “Who doesn’t love a cowboy strolling around in chaps with his hat tipped to keep his expression a secret?”
Avery nodded from the end. “Makes them both sexy and mysterious.”
“Panty-melting.” Nan fanned herself.
Connor’s laugh rang out as he took off his hat and swung it in a circle above his head. The horse slowed his efforts and it didn’t take but a few more minutes of him working the steed with a combination of strong control and coaxing words to calm the bronco enough he could dismount safely.