Proposal at the Lazy S Ranch

Vance walked up and began to stroke the mare’s nose. “Just two weeks.”

Josie asked Vance, “Do you think the mama will let us pet her?”

Garrett enjoyed seeing the light in her eyes, the excitement in her voice. It had been a long time since he’d seen this carefree side of Josie.

“Sure. Sugar Plum is a sweetheart.” He opened the gate, went inside and nudged the mare back and stood in front of her so the group could see the long-legged filly.

“So what do you think of her, Brody?” Vance asked.

Garrett knelt down away from the new mother, then reached out a hand to coax the filly, turning to Brody. “Come here, son.”

The boy walked inside the stall and mimicked his dad. “She’s so little.”

His son seemed to have no fear of animals as he reached out his hand to the foal. Surprisingly, the horse sniffed it and allowed the boy to touch her. Brody grinned. “She likes me. Josie, she likes me.”

Josie moved in next to Brody. “Animals are trusting as long as you don’t hurt them.”

Garrett couldn’t take his eyes off the exchange between his son and the foal, also between Josie and Brody. He felt a tightening in his chest. Josie always had an easy way, a knack to make people feel comfortable.

Josie stood up and let Brody interact with the foal. There was a bond growing already. She glanced at Garrett, seeing the love and protectiveness he had for his child. She felt tears welling in her eyes as she thought about past regrets. What could have been if only... She quickly blinked them away.

“Hey, Brody,” Vance said. “Can you think of a name for our filly?”

The child shrugged. “I don’t know any names for a horse.”

Josie saw the boy begin to withdraw. “Maybe,” she suggested, “’cause her mom’s name is Sugar Plum, you can call her ‘Sweet’ something.” She shrugged. “You know, like Sweet Pea. Sweet Georgia Brown. Sweet Caroline. Sweetheart. Sweet Potato.”

“Sweet potato?” Brody giggled. “That’s a silly name.”

“Well, come up with something better,” she told him.

The child continued to stroke the animal. “How about Sweet as Sugar,” he said. “My mom used to say that to me when I was little.” His voice faded out. “Before she died.”

Oh, God. Josie’s heart nearly stopped as she shot a look at Garrett. He didn’t make eye contact with her. His gaze stayed on his child as he went to the boy. “I think your mom would really like that name.”

Vance spoke up. “I think that’s a perfect name. It’s got her mother’s name in it, too. We’ll call her Sweetie for short. How do you like that, Sugar?” The horse whinnied and bobbed her head.

Brody flashed a big grin and his green eyes sparkled.

Josie felt a tug at her heart. “Yeah. That’s a good name. Sweetie.”

Vance patted the mare’s neck as he winked at Josie. “Thank you. Good idea.”

“Anytime, soon-to-be brother-in-law.” She smiled and glanced at Garrett. He was watching her, and she felt the familiar feelings, that warm shiver as his gaze locked on hers. She hated that he still had an effect on her, but she refused to let him see it. “I should get back to the house and Colt.”

“We all need to leave,” Garrett said. “The mama has been patient long enough with her visitors.”

Brody stood up. “Bye, Sweetie. Bye, Sugar.”

After the stall gate closed, Josie turned to the child. “It was nice to meet you, Brody.”

“Nice meeting you, Josie,” the boy said, then when she started to walk out, he asked shyly, “Will I see you again?”

She was caught off guard. “Oh, probably. We’re neighbors. And your dad is building a lodge for us.”

“I know. My dad builds a lot of stuff.”

She smiled, trying desperately to get away. “Enjoy your new horse.” She stole a look at Garrett. “Goodbye.” She tried not to run out of the barn, not that her sore ankle would allow it anyway.

Twenty-four hours home, and this man had been everywhere she turned. She knew one thing. She needed to get out of Montana as soon as possible.

She didn’t need Garrett Temple messing up her life...again.

* * *

An hour later, Josie sat at the desk in her father’s office talking on the phone with Tori. “How did the meeting go with Reed Corp?” she asked her sister, who’d pretty much taken over Josie’s event business while she was here.

“It went well. They were disappointed that you weren’t at the presentation. I think Jason Reed has a thing for you.”

Josie shook her head. “He also has a wife and two kids.” The short, balding fortysomething man liked all women. “I don’t share well, remember?”

She glanced around Colt’s private domain as she listened to her sister. The den walls were done in a dark wood paneling, and against one of those walls was a floor-to-ceiling bookcase filled with books, old rodeo buckles and trophies along with blue ribbons for Lazy S’s award-winning cattle and horses.

The furniture was worn leather and the carpet needed to be replaced. How long had the ranch finances been bad?

Tori’s laughter came over the speakerphone. “That’s right, you were pretty stingy when we were growing up, not sharing your dolls or your boyfriend. Speaking of which, how is Garrett?”

Josie froze. Why did everything come back to that man? “How would I know?”

“Because Ana said you’ve been spending time with him.”

“That’s not by choice.”

“So how does he look? Please tell me he’s gotten fat and gone bald.”

Josie had only confided in her twin what really happened the day Garrett confessed that he’d planned to marry another woman. Later she’d learned he’d gotten her pregnant. “No, he pretty much looks the same.”

“Ana also told me that he’s moved back to the Temple Ranch with his son.” Tori paused. “If you want, Josie, you can come back to L.A., and I’ll take your place.”

“No, I can’t keep running away from my past. We both decided that we’d help Ana and Vance. Besides, I want to find out if Colt’s new attitude toward his daughters is for real.”

“You have doubts?”

Josie wasn’t sure, still leery of the man’s sudden change of heart. “He’s nothing like the man we remember, Tori. He actually talked to me this morning at breakfast. Since the man had pretty much ignored us when we were growing up, I’m not sure how to handle the new Colt Slater.”

Tori joined in. “Like I said, we can change places if you want to come back here.”

Josie was a little worried. Why was Tori so eager to come to Montana? “Is there something you’re not telling me?”