One Summer At The Ranch: The Wyoming Cowboy / A Family for the Rugged Rancher / The Man Who Had Everything

“Well, we’re all here now and it’s time to go back to sleep.”

“Mom?”

“Yes?”

“I don’t want to go home.”

Carson’s heart skipped a beat.

“Shh. We’ll talk about it in the morning.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

“I love you, Mom.”

“I love you, honey.”

“Good night, Carson. I love you, too.”

Carson closed his eyes tightly. “The feeling’s mutual, partner. Good night.” What else could he have said that wouldn’t have upset Tracy?

When he’d had thoughts earlier in the day of being in the tent with her, he never dreamed he’d end up here in the middle of the night under these circumstances. In order to prove to her he wouldn’t take advantage of the situation, he waited until he could tell they were asleep, then he crept out of the tent. He found Buck sitting on one of the chairs with his legs propped on another one.

“Go to bed, Buck. I’ll never sleep tonight.”

“Why not, besides the obvious?”

Carson brought him up to speed. “I’m afraid this plan of ours may be backfiring big-time. We were supposed to give them a fun vacation, but now he says he doesn’t want to go home. I know you’re going to say he’ll get over it, but until he does, Tracy’s probably going to wish she’d never come.”

“Speaking of Tracy, what happened out there tonight when you two were alone?”

“I asked her to go dancing with me tomorrow night. She said yes.” The “yes” came out a little louder because he had to cough.

Buck moved his legs to the ground. “You weren’t really surprised, were you?”

“I don’t know. Ever since she got here, I’ve been turned inside out.”

He got to his feet and stretched. “Do you wish she hadn’t come?”

“If this becomes a nightmare for her because of Johnny, then yes. I have no doubt it was his father he was looking for.”

“I’m sure you’re right. It’s only natural. But she chose to accept our invitation. There’s a risk in everything and nothing’s perfect in this imperfect world. You have to know they’ve been having a wonderful time.”

“But at what cost?”

“That’s your old guilt talking, Carson. You’ve got to stop taking on what can’t be helped.”

Buck was right. “I don’t know how to do that.”

“It’s the only flaw I find in you. See you in the morning.”

Chapter Seven (#ulink_028456ac-9375-5a7a-8a03-737a51c63fc1)

“Come on, honey.” Johnny was slow putting on his cowboy boots this morning. “Now that we’ve had breakfast, they’re calling us to pack up.” So far he hadn’t talked about his bad dream last night. That was good, because now wasn’t the time for the serious discussion with him about Carson.

Johnny reached for his cowboy hat and put it on. “Do we have to go back to the ranch today?”

“Yes.” She finished putting his things in the saddlebag.

“But I like it here.”

“There are a lot more fun things we’re going to do. Remember what Buck said while he was cooking our pancakes? Ross is taking us on a hike over in Teton Park. We haven’t been there yet.”

“Why isn’t Carson coming with us?”

“You know why. He has business matters to take care of today.”

“I’d rather stay home and ride Goldie.”

Home?

“You can ride her after dinner. Here. You carry your saddlebag and I’ll bring mine.”

After fastening her hair back with a clip, she opened the tent flap and they joined everyone congregated by the horses. She could hear the men coughing. Carson’s black Stetson stood out as he finished saddling Goldie. He darted her a private glance before his blue gaze fell on Johnny. He took the bag from him and attached it.

“Up you go, partner.” He helped him mount and handed him the reins.

“Who’s going to take down our tents and stuff?”

“Some of my ranch hands. They came yesterday to set everything up for us.”

“Oh.”

“Remember what to do when the other ponies crowd in,” he whispered. Tracy heard that and smiled.

Johnny’s face brightened. “Yup.”

Carson moved to Tracy’s horse, Annie, who was ready to go. In a deft move he fastened Tracy’s saddlebag. While she mounted, he undid the reins and put them in her hands, giving them a little squeeze.

* * *

TRACY HAD BEEN so excited about the date he’d made with her last night, she’d had trouble getting to sleep. When he’d brought Johnny to the tent in the middle of the night, his presence had made it impossible for her to settle back down. With that squeeze just now, she felt breathless.

He mounted his horse with effortless masculine precision. “Is everyone ready?”

“I am!” Sam called out.