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

Tracy watched them follow Carson into the drenching rain. She walked over to Ralph and Monica. This was the perfect time to talk to them in private. “Now we’re alone for a minute, I have something to ask you, but please don’t worry if you don’t feel it’s something you want to do.”

When she told them, Monica’s face lit up. “We were just going to approach you about the same thing. The kids like each other and trust you.”

“Johnny thinks you guys are great, too. This is perfect. I’ll babysit for you tomorrow night.”

“Thank you. We’re dying to go into Jackson and have a little time alone.”

Tracy could relate to that. She gathered the two saddlebags while they waited for Carson’s return. Tonight was going to be a special time with a very special man and she planned to enjoy it to the fullest. After she and Johnny were back in Ohio, it would be a memory she would pull out and relive when the going got tough again. But she didn’t want to think about the tough part right now.

* * *

CARSON HAD ONLY seen Tracy in jeans or a bathing suit. When she opened the cabin door at seven-thirty, he was treated to a vision of a different kind. With her blond hair loose, the champagne-colored skirt and gauzy blouse looked sensational on her. Soft and dreamy. Her high-heeled sandals showed off her shapely legs.

“Carson—” Her hazel eyes played over him longer than usual. “I almost didn’t recognize you in a regular suit minus the boots and hat. I don’t think Johnny would, either.”

“A man has to be civilized around here once in a while. Are you ready?”

“Yes,” she said quietly. “I’ll grab my purse and jacket.”

They left the cabin and he helped her into his Altima. The storm had passed, leaving everything cooler. He loved the smell of the sage after the rain. “Is Johnny all right with this?”

“I wondered about it when I broached the subject this afternoon. When he found out he’d be staying at the Harris’s cabin until I got back, he didn’t exactly mind we were going somewhere without him. Of course, I had to promise I’d come and get him.”

“Of course.” Carson started the engine and drove off. “Since you’ve told me how protective he can be, I guess I wondered if he put up a fuss that I’m taking you out.”

“Are you kidding? The king of the cowboys?”

Her comment removed the bands constricting his lungs. The result was another bout of coughing. “After his nightmare, I worried his father was on his mind.”

“I’m sure he was, subconsciously, but he didn’t mention Tony at all. In fact, he hasn’t talked about him once since our arrival here. That tells me you and your friends have achieved your goal to bring our family some happiness. Today made it evident that my son has come out of his shell. Your goodness and generosity are the sole reason for that. I told Buck the same thing earlier today.”

Carson had noticed the two of them talking as they’d headed back to the ranch. “And what about you, Tracy? Are you enjoying yourself?”

“You know very well that question doesn’t need an answer. I could never imagine myself being with another man again. Yet I found myself saying yes when you invited me out. I thought, why not? If Johnny could get on a small plane and dive-bomb into Jackson Hole, then it was time I took a risk. That should tell you a lot.”

It did, but it wasn’t enough. Patience had never been Carson’s strong suit. “I’m taking you to the Hermitage, a French restaurant I haven’t been to since my return from Maryland. It’s in the Spring Creek Ranch area, a thousand feet above the valley floor.

“The view is superb. I thought you might like a change from authentic Western and enjoy some great French food along with a live band that plays a lot of romantic French songs. On Friday night after the rodeo, I’ll take you and Johnny to a fun place for Western music and line dancing. Everyone gets in on the act in their duds. He’ll be in his element.”

He felt her eyes on him. “Be careful, Carson. You’re spoiling us too much. If you treat all the families who come here at your invitation the way you’re treating me and Johnny, no one will ever want to leave.”

“Can I quote you on that when the time comes?” He pulled up to the crowded restaurant and turned off the engine. Luckily he’d made reservations. Even in the semidarkness, he saw color fill her cheeks.

She looked away. “You know what I meant.”

“My friends and I appreciate the compliment.” Levering himself from the car, he went around to help her out. The place had been built to resemble one of those religious retreats in the French Alps. He ushered her through the heavy wooden doors. The high ceilings and huge picture windows were unexpected and provided a contemporary twist.

“Carson! I couldn’t believe it when I heard you’d made a reservation.” A wiry older man came rushing over to the entry and kissed him on both cheeks. “Are you on leave? I haven’t seen you since your grand-père’s funeral.”

“I’ve left the military, Maurice, and am back for good.”

“That’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time.”

His throat swelled with emotion. “It’s good to see you.”

“And who is this ravishing creature?”

“Please meet Tracy Baretta, one of the guests staying at the ranch with her son. Tracy, this is Maurice Chappuis, the owner.”

The restaurateur’s warm brown eyes studied her for a long moment. “How do you do, Tracy.”

“It’s very nice to meet you.”

Carson would have said more, but a coughing spell stopped him. Maurice frowned. “That doesn’t sound good.”

“I got it when I was overseas, but I’m not contagious, so don’t worry.” He glanced at Tracy. “His son Jean-Paul and I were friends back in high school. Jean-Paul was a local bull riding legend. Maurice came to all our competitions. What’s he up to these days?”

“Same thing as usual. Helping me here and on the ranch. Except...he got married four months ago and they’re expecting!”

“You’re kidding!” Carson was truly happy for him.

Maurice crossed himself. “He’s off tonight. When I tell him who walked in here, he’ll be overjoyed.”

“Tell him to come by the ranch and bring his wife.”

“I will. Now come. Sit, sit, sit. Only the best champagne in the house for you. I don’t need to tell you we serve the best coq au vin in the world, and we have a new chanteur performing with the band. He does wonderful Charles Aznavour renditions.”

“That’s why we’re here.” He gave Maurice another hug. Seeing him like this brought the past hurtling back. Once again his guilt took over. Jean-Paul hadn’t gone away. He wasn’t restless, as Carson had been. Once his rodeo days were over, he’d stayed in Jackson. He’d built a life here, helping his father. Now he had a wife.

After Maurice seated Tracy, Carson took the seat opposite her at the window with its amazing view of the valley. The wine steward came over to pour them champagne. When he was gone, she eyed her dinner companion with concern.

“Maurice is wonderful, but I can tell something’s wrong.” Her naturally arched brows lifted. “Memories?”

He nodded soberly. “Too many. They all came rushing in at once.”

“I know the feeling. When you handed that photograph to Johnny at the airport, and I saw Tony, it was like instant immersion into a former life.”

“Immersion’s a good word.” He drank some champagne. “Mmm. You should try this. It’s like velvet.”

But she remained still. “You loved your grandfather, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Then why do I sense so much sadness?”

“You know the old saying, act in haste and repent at leisure? That’s me. But I don’t want to talk about me tonight.” He lifted his wineglass. “I’m dining with a beautiful woman and don’t want anything to spoil it. Here’s to an unforgettable evening.”

She lifted her glass to touch his, and then sipped. “Oh—” She smiled. “That’s really good.”