Yukon Cowboy

Chapter Three

Bethany walked into Amy’s office and stopped in her tracks. Nate jerked to his feet so fast, he sent his chair sliding into the bookcase behind it as he gasped in horror.

What had she done to make this man change toward her like he had?

“Amy,” she snapped, her temper at his attitude spiking. “I’m not sure I understand—or like this one bit.”

Nate positively glowered at Amy, looking like he could wring her neck. The man obviously had a problem, and it looked like Bethany was it.

Unaffected by either of them, Amy smiled breezily, as if Nate looked at her that way all the time. She drew Bethany into the room and closed the door. “Look, I didn’t think either of you would understand this. That’s why I chose not to tell you what I’d done until now. But, Bethany, the minute I heard you were coming to town I knew you both would be the perfect guides for this family tour. Remember, I’ve seen you work together before—you were the best team ever. And this family needs a compassionate woman like you along, Bethany. You are an answer to a prayer, coming back at the time that you did. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. And they also need you, Nate, because I believe you have something to offer the little boy. He is seven years old, his name is Cody, and he needs strong male role models in his life. You are that in every sense of the word—” she dropped her chin to her chest and lifted a brow “—when you aren’t looking as if you just stepped barefoot into a pot of boiling water.”

At that, his jaw jerked and he started to say something. Amy held up her hand. “You can help this little boy by being a positive role model to him.

Believe me, I’m so thankful that Ben’s and my sons have so many of you men around to show them how to be good, strong Christian men. That’s what you can do on this trip.”

Bethany glanced at Nate. Nate glanced at her.

How could either of them refuse that?

This was not good. Bethany wanted to leave. She wanted to stay. She wanted to know what Nate’s problem was.

He thumped his hat against his thigh, looking like a trapped grizzly.

“I’ll do it,” she said. She wasn’t so sure about being an answer to a prayer, but if there was a chance she could help this little boy by being a kind and compassionate guide, then she would. Nate would just have to deal with it. Especially since it looked like he wasn’t going to be any of those things.

“I’m in, too,” he grunted, making his way past her to the door. He stopped beside her. “Can you still hike that kind of terrain? And when was the last time you rode a horse?”

“Nate McMann, I could outhike you any day of the week when we were in high school, and you know it.” The gall of the man! “And though I might not be able to break wild horses like you can, I can still ride with the best of them.” She had no intention of telling him that she hadn’t ridden a horse in nine years. Oh, no, she’d sit in that saddle like she’d been riding every day, just so she’d have the satisfaction of wiping that condescension off his face.

“I never said you couldn’t ride or hike,” he said, his tone sent shivers through her. Confused her. “We have our orientation tomorrow then Gage drives us out day after tomorrow at daybreak. Be there on both counts.”

He was gone the minute the words were out. Bethany watched him stalk down the hallway. The man still got to her. There was absolutely no denying that. It was maddening and crazy. But, maybe this was what she needed. Maybe this was the thing that would clear the air once and for all.

Nate had been living on the outskirts of her life like a larger-than-life memory. It didn’t matter that he’d hurt her, the memory of him was there. She’d stalled out in the dating world—no man since had lived up to that memory…and she’d dated some really great guys. If only she’d been able to love one of them.

“Is there anyone else on the tour?” she asked, turning away and closing the door.

Amy smiled knowingly. “I know I threw you for a loop, Bethany, and I’m sorry. Do you forgive me?”

They’d been friends for a long time. “Maybe. Okay, yes. But I’m not so sure he will.”

Amy walked around to her desk and sank into the chair that had once been Ben’s. She let out a long sigh as she glanced around the office. “He’ll get over it. He hasn’t been the same since you left, you know.”

That got Bethany. “He sent me away. Remember?”

“I remember. Still, something about the whole thing never rang true.”

Bethany didn’t want to dwell on her past. She’d gone over it and over it for years, and never came up with an answer. One day he’d loved her and the next he hadn’t. It was as hard and as cold as that. “I survived and am a stronger woman because of what happened between us. I asked you this yesterday, but didn’t get much of an answer. How are you surviving?”

Amy glanced out the window that had the blinds angled slightly downward, so they could see out but people couldn’t see in. Bethany sank into the chair Nate had almost knocked over. Amy’s weary, sad gaze came back to meet hers.

“I’m making it, Bethany. But sometimes I feel overwhelmed. Ben…” her voice rasped with emotion. She paused and drew herself up, forcing the emotion away. “He wrote me a letter basically asking me to remarry by Christmas if anything were to happen to him. Every man in the district is asking me to marry him. What was Ben thinking? Why would he ask me to do such a thing?”

It was the same question Bethany had been wondering about Amy. “He loved you and I’m sure he was thinking only the best for you.”

“Yes, I know,” she said, looking distant. “But even Ben can’t make me fall in love with someone—he isn’t an easy act to follow. How about you? Why haven’t you ever married?”

Bethany shook her head, unable to admit that she felt the same way about Nate McMann. Well, it wasn’t exactly the same thing. Ben James had loved Amy with his whole heart and soul. Not being able to forget a man like that was understandable. But feeling that way about a man who’d basically kicked her to the curb made her feel foolish. And she hated feeling foolish.

“I just haven’t had the time to really search for the right guy. I’m sure he’ll come along. But if he doesn’t, I always have my work. What would we do without work?”

“I don’t know. But it’s my boys who have gotten me through. I’m here at work because I have to be, but it’s Dexter and Sammy who have gotten me though their daddy’s death.”

Bethany’s heart caught with longing. “Yes, I can imagine they’ve been little blessings.”

Amy smiled proudly. “Oh, yes. They are constant sources of joy. Their daddy would be so proud of them.”

Bethany knew this was true. Ben was the kind of man who took pride in his family. He’d been a great guy.

“He’d be proud of you, too, Amy. What you are doing takes such strength.”

“God has given me that. Besides, this tour company was Ben’s passion. I want to help the town and also carry on his legacy. The boys may want to carry on their daddy’s business one day. I want it to still be here when they are able to do that, if they choose.”

“From the looks of things, you don’t have anything to worry about.”

Amy’s brows dipped. “I don’t know. The attention from the article has helped us turn a corner economically for now, but we have to keep them coming. We can’t afford to make a misstep. Every tour counts. Every positive word and great review matters. I mean, all these women are great for excitement and the attention they’re bringing us, but in the long run it’s the same, regular tourists who will carry this company for the future. Families like the ones on your tour.”

She was absolutely right. Bethany would have to focus on that, and not on the brooding cowboy who could very easily stomp on her heart again during this tour. “I’ll do my best to give this group a great experience. Now, who else is on this tour? Usually there’s more than one family.”

Amy took a refreshing breath and smiled excitedly. “There is. It’s the cutest newlywed couple. Can you imagine wanting to take an Alaskan tour for your honeymoon? Especially one this late in the season.”

It was Bethany’s turn to look at Amy in horror. “Newlyweds.”

Amy laughed. “Hold on, they’ve taken an Alaskan cruise here. So it’s not like they got married yesterday.”

“That’s a relief!” Bethany exclaimed, making Amy laugh again.

“I think it’s adorable, really. And since it’s one of the last tours of the season and a little bit cold—they’ll have plenty of snuggle time.”

Bethany thought about it. “You’re right, but, um, did you tell Nate about them?”

Amy looked appalled. “Are you kidding! He’ll hate it if there’ll be any mushy stuff going on. You should see how uptight he gets watching all this sparking and romancing that’s been going on around him. It’s like the guy has forgotten that love makes the world go round.” A mischievous twinkle sparked in her vivid blue eyes. “I booked him specifically on his tour. I for one think Nate McMann needs to open his eyes and see that if he doesn’t change he’ll grow old alone. And it won’t be pretty.”

Bethany didn’t know how to take that. “I hope you don’t have any ideas about me and him—”

“And what if I did?”

“Then you’d need to get rid of them right away.”