Buch lesen: «The Rancher's Heir»

One

Noah

Six months later, in July, Noah was no longer a Ranger in the US Army. He’d been honorably discharged, armed now with a list of things he needed to do before he settled back into civilian life and took over his ranch again. He’d systematically run through the list until, after tonight, there was only one thing left to do—take Thane’s packages to Camilla and her baby. He didn’t want to see either of them, but he would keep his promise to Thane. He stood holding two packages. He guessed the one for her baby was a book—that was what it felt like. Both packages were wrapped in what looked like the brown paper of grocery sacks at home. Used paper with wrinkles smoothed out. The other package for Camilla was a box. It wasn’t deep, but it was bigger than the book. Each one was tied with brown twine. Neither box felt heavy. A simple delivery. Just hand them to her and get the hell out of her life again. Just the thought of seeing her was stirring up too many unwanted memories.

The first weekend back he’d gone home to see his parents in Dallas. He’d hugged his mother while Betsy Grant had wiped away tears as she smiled at him.

“Mom, don’t cry,” he’d said.

“I’m just so happy you’re home.”

“I’m happy to be home and I’ll never understand crying for happiness.”

Smiling, she’d wiped her eyes and patted his cheek. “Someday you will. Someday you’ll have tears of joy and relief in your eyes.”

“Don’t wish that on me,” he’d said, laughing. As he’d hugged her, he’d realized she felt a lot more frail than she had when he had hugged her goodbye before he’d left for Afghanistan.

His dad’s handshake had been firm, his smile as warm as ever, but Cal Grant’s skin had looked pale.

Tonight he returned to the family Tudor mansion in Dallas and walked in to see his siblings. Noah stepped to Hallie to hug her lightly. His sister-in-law was still a beautiful woman, tall, blonde and brown-eyed.

“We’re glad you’re home,” she said, smiling at him.

He turned to his middle brother and gazed into blue eyes slightly lighter than his own. The two looked alike, except Ben had wavy black hair, not thick black curls like Noah. Noah wrapped his arms around Ben, Hallie’s husband, and hugged him. “I’m glad to see you,” he said, meaning it.

“I’m glad you’re here, bro. Eli was sorry he couldn’t get here tonight. He couldn’t get out of a dinner where he’s a speaker.”

“I’ll see him soon.”

“Come sit and let everyone talk to you,” his mother said as they all walked into the big familiar living room with comfortable sofas and chairs. “You can’t imagine how glad we all are that you’re home.”

He sat and talked to his family and once again he was struck by how much his parents had aged in the years he’d been in the military. He heard the front door open, and then his sister, Stefanie, appeared, screeching when she saw Noah. She ran across the room, her black hair flying, to throw her arms around his neck. Laughing, he hugged her and she stepped back, smiling at him.

“I’m so glad you’re home.”

He looked into her deep blue eyes, so like his own, and smiled. “I’m glad to be home.”

She turned to greet the rest of the family, crossing the room to kiss their dad’s cheek, going to brush her mother’s cheek with a kiss. “This is a celebration,” she said.

Noah laughed. Some things never changed, and his little sister stirring up the whole family with her grand entrance was one of those things.

And some things did change, he thought. Like his parents.

As they all sat and talked, he realized how good it was to be home. Nothing was more important than family. This was what he’d wanted at some point in his life. The moment that thought came, so did memories of Camilla and, with them, an unwanted pang that shocked him. After all this time, how could he still miss her? They had broken up three years ago and he didn’t want to still miss her. He didn’t want to picture her when he thought of having his own family. But he did. She was his wife and the mother of his children in all such fantasies.

But it had to stop. Now.

Banishing those tormenting images, he turned to his father and tried to pay attention to what the man was saying. It wasn’t until ten that night, when his folks said good-night and retired for the evening, that he was alone with Ben and Hallie and Stefanie.

“C’mon, Stefanie. Come with me. I’m going to find a book to take home,” Hallie said, dragging his sister to the library down the hall.

Noah looked at Ben. “I know the folks usually tell us good-night and leave, but Hallie has left for a reason besides getting a book to read.”

“Yeah. Let’s go into the study,” Ben said, and Noah realized it was something serious. He followed his brother.

Ben switched on the lights and Noah glanced around the familiar room that served as his dad’s home office. Then his attention shifted to Ben.

“What’s up? I have the feeling there’s something you’ve been waiting to tell me.”

“There is. I told Mom I would tell you and you can talk to them about it tomorrow, but she can’t talk without crying.”

“Oh, damn,” Noah said, sinking into a leather chair. Instantly he remembered his dad’s pallor and quiet manner. “It’s Dad, isn’t it?”

“You noticed. I figured you would. He—he has heart problems. Since you’ve been gone, he’s had a heart attack and he’s had bypass surgery.”

Noah felt as if he had been punched in the chest. He hurt and he looked down, remembering his dad in earlier years. “Dammit.”

Ben took a seat beside him. “Dad isn’t strong any longer, but he walks on a treadmill several times nearly every day.”

Noah looked away, remembering moments as a kid when he’d had fun with his dad, playing ball, swimming.

“That’s a hell of a thing to come home to,” he told Ben. “How’s Stefanie handling it?”

“She’s hovering over him, which seems to make them both happy. Mom, too. Between work and her social life, Stefanie keeps busy, so she’s okay. She’s running the north Dallas Grant Realty office and she’s very good at it.” He shook his head as if amazed at how well she handled the family’s real-estate business. “I thought she was too much a social butterfly to be a sharp businesswoman, but I was wrong. Last spring, she spent a month in our south Texas home and had it all done over. And I think she has plans for the Colorado home this fall. I don’t know where she gets the energy. Even with all that on her plate, she moves in social circles and supports several charities. I’ve got about three I devote time, effort and money to, while Eli has about five. You know how Dad taught us all we need to give back to the community, so here we are, doing what he expected.”

“I’m sure he’s proud of you all.”

Ben looked at him squarely. “We’re all proud of you serving in the Army in the Rangers.”

Noah shrugged. “Our dad served. Our grandfather. Our great-grandfather. It’s a family tradition. But one from this generation is enough. Don’t you go sign up.”

Ben held up his hands, palms out. “No danger of that. I have my hands full here.” He ran a hand through his hair. “When Dad had to step down, I took over the main real-estate office. You know, it might be a good thing if you come in about once or twice a month just so you know what’s going on and you’re able to take over if I’m away.”

“Okay, but I’m sure you have some vice presidents who can step in.”

“Oh, yes. I just want you to know about the business since Dad is out.”

“And in turn you’ll come out to the ranch and spend a couple of days per month.”

“Noah, ranching is your deal and maybe Eli’s occasionally. I would be lousy—”

Noah laughed and waved his hand. “Don’t worry. I’m kidding. You barely know a horse’s head from its rear, so I don’t think you’d be of much help anyway.”

Ben sat back, looking relieved. “Don’t scare me like that.” Then he sobered. “Back to Dad. I told him I’d tell you about his heart. He said he has a doctor’s appointment tomorrow and they’re running some tests. He said to give him a couple of days and then come by. I think those doctor appointments wear him out. So much that he doesn’t even venture into the office any longer.” Ben leaned forward. “Don’t panic, Noah, but I’d really like you on the board.”

“The ranch is my life. I’ll be on the board, but I won’t take an office job.” He got up and paced the den. “You know, when you leave home, you think you’re coming back to the same life, but you never do,” he said. “Well, hell, this one hurts and it’s just going to hurt more as the days go by.” He stared into space a moment, lost again in memories of his dad. He turned to Ben. “Thanks for telling me.”

“Yeah. I hated to have to tell you.”

“I’m glad I didn’t know it over there. Losing Thane was hell enough. We’ve been friends since we were schoolkids. His wounds were too bad and they couldn’t save him. How’re things with you?”

Ben shrugged. “Business is good. On the home front there have been some tense moments—” He paused to look at Noah. “Hallie and I have tried since we first married to have a baby. Especially since Dad’s heart problems. We wanted him to know his first grandchild.” Ben shook his head and glanced at the closed door. “The docs say we’re both okay, to just relax, that pregnancy will happen. It would give Mom and Dad so much pleasure.” He paused a moment as Noah resumed his seat, then met his brother’s eyes. “I hate to ask, but...have you seen Camilla?”

At the mere mention of her name, his insides knotted. “No, but I will. Thane asked me to take gifts to her and to her baby.”

“She was only married two, three months at most. Then the guy was gone. He was there long enough that she has a baby. He left town before their divorce and I’ve heard he doesn’t have any interest in the kid.”

“Doesn’t matter. It’s over between us,” Noah said, his stomach tightening even more. “I’m too much the alpha male for her, which is the pot calling the kettle black, to quote the old saying. And she loves Dallas and won’t even visit my ranch.”

“Sorry. You two seemed close.”

They had been once. They’d dated for a year before he joined the Army. “Not any longer.” Noah stood. “I better go and let you get home.”

They walked back to rejoin the others. He glanced at Stefanie. “If I know you, you’re just getting ready to start your evening. You’re probably meeting friends.”

Smiling, she wrinkled her nose at him. “You might be right. You can even join us.”

“Thanks, but not tonight.” He turned to his brother. “I’ll call and see Dad when it’s convenient for him.”

Ben nodded, then reached out to hug his brother.

“Damn, I’m glad you’re home,” he said.

“Let me know if you need me. I have something I need to do in Dallas before I go to the ranch and I’ll spend a bit longer in Dallas to be with Dad more.”

“That will be good. I’m sorry about you and Camilla.”

It still hurt too much to talk about her. “Thanks. So am I, but I’m not giving up ranching. I sure as hell can’t change my personality.”

He said good-night to Stefanie and Hallie. “See you both soon,” Noah said as he made his way to the door.

Stefanie asked him to wait, walking outside with him.

“How is it with Camilla?” she asked as they headed toward her car. “Have you seen her baby?”

“It’s finished with Camilla, and no, I haven’t seen her baby,” he said.

“Sorry, Noah, if you’re unhappy about it. Come out with me Friday night and have some fun.”

He laughed and squeezed her shoulder. “You’d take the old man out with you? Thanks, but I’ll pass this time.”

“You’re not that much older than my crowd and you’re not as old as some of them.” She smiled at him and touched his arm. “Think about it. Also, I’m a cochairman for the Heart Ball—”

He stopped her with a grin. “I’ll take a table and however many tickets that means.”

“Ahhh, thank you! It’s still three months away but it’s never too soon to sell tickets.” She opened her red sports car and turned back to him. This time he noticed her expression had sobered. “Ben told you about Dad, didn’t he?”

“Yeah, he did. I’ll go by and talk to Dad soon. He has a doctor’s appointment tomorrow.”

“It breaks my heart, but I don’t want to be sad around them. He seems to be doing okay, but I’m sure you see a difference.”

“Of course I do.” He reached out to her. “If you want a shoulder to cry on, I’ve got one.”

She gazed up at him. “There will be times I’ll need it. You’re a wonderful big brother.”

He smiled and pulled her to him in a hug. When he released her, he held open her car door, then closed it when she was in. “See you soon,” he said as he turned for his car. As he opened his car door, he glanced back to see her backing out of her parking place. He left, driving to the condo he maintained in Dallas while he thought about his dad, and then his thoughts shifted to Camilla. He would see her—after all this time. His pulse beat faster when he thought about her while at the same time memories of the past clutched at his heart. He had put this meeting off long enough. Even though it might very well open old wounds, the time had come to see her and fulfill his promise.

Stefanie

Stefanie drove to her condo in downtown Dallas. She ran a family office in a suburban area, but she liked the town condo. When she was inside, she walked to the window to look out at the city without really seeing it. Her thoughts were lost on her oldest brother. She was thankful he was home. Noah had a steadying influence on everyone in the family.

She could hear the gruffness in his voice when she had asked about Camilla, and her anger flashed. She’d liked Camilla—until she’d hurt Noah. She’d hurt him before he ever left for overseas and that had worried Stefanie. She’d feared he wouldn’t have his mind on his job as much if he was worried about Camilla—something that could be fatal in hostile territory.

She thought about Camilla, who was pursuing an art career. Stefanie had always wondered if she had married to spite Noah because her husband was gone in a couple of months. Camilla probably hadn’t planned on a pregnancy. The guy hadn’t even wanted his baby.

Stefanie thought about Noah, looking preoccupied tonight, learning about their dad and coming home to unhappiness with Camilla. Noah needed to meet someone, someone who was fun to be with, someone who would get him over his breakup.

Stefanie knew some really gorgeous women who would be perfect for Noah. She knew two women in particular who came to mind right away. Better still, one of them was going to be in Vivian Warner’s wedding party when Thane’s widow remarried next week. She could call Vivian. Noah needed someone who would make him happy.

And Stefanie needed to think of a way to get Camilla away from Dallas and out of her brother’s life.

If Camilla was away from Dallas, maybe Noah would be more interested in going out and meeting new friends.

Camilla

In her large art studio at her Dallas home, Camilla stepped back to look at the canvas on an easel. She had a commissioned family portrait of two children she was painting from a picture she had taken with her iPad. She usually got up early to paint while Ethan slept. She would hear him on the monitor when he stirred.

It was quiet, peaceful in her studio, and on breaks from painting, she could watch the sunrise over her backyard.

Light spilled into the room and over easels holding watercolor paintings, charcoal drawings and portraits. One wall held a massive landscape painting. There were shelves filled with art bottles of acrylic paints and tubes of oils. Two sinks were near a worktable. Sunshine splashed through the floor-to-ceiling glass wall that gave a broad view of her gardens. Stacks of drawings and prints were in bins along a wall. She had a patio door open to let fresh air in and a slight paint smell out. She had a studio in her condo, another studio in an office in downtown Dallas, but this was her favorite place to paint. She also had an art gallery in Dallas.

As she cleaned her brushes, she glanced over at a black-and-white pencil sketch propped on top of a cabinet holding her paints. The sketch was Noah, one she had done from a picture after they started dating. She still liked it. All in shades of black and gray on a white background, she had made his eyes a vivid blue, trying to reproduce the color of them. He had a faint smile and his black hair was its usual unruly tangle. That mass of tangled curls was gone when she last saw him with his military cut.

She stared at his picture a moment, dreading seeing him again while at the same time missing him, wondering what the future held. Guilt plagued her and memories taunted her, memories of his kisses, moments in his arms.

With a shake of her head, she continued to put away brushes and pencils. In the cabinet were scrapbooks with printouts of pictures and artwork she had done.

She had attended a musical at the Music Hall last night, and during the performance, her mind had wandered to Noah. He was out of the military now.

On the wall behind a massive wooden desk was a wall calendar with the art jobs she had pending and due dates. She had appointments written in, important events she would attend, including her widowed sister-in-law’s upcoming wedding. Noah would be there and their paths would cross.

She thought over what she’d heard: Noah Grant was home. She couldn’t get him out of her thoughts. She couldn’t understand her reaction to hearing the news. She hadn’t seen him for two years, not since he’d been home on furlough. Even back then he was exactly what she disliked in a man—a take-charge male—yet when she heard he was back, her heart had raced and longing shook her. For just an instant, she forgot their fights and arguments and remembered only the good moments. Noah making her laugh, Noah holding her, kissing her. Noah taking her to bed, where she’d run her hands over his smooth back. Noah—

Stop it.

She had to listen to that sane inner voice telling her to rein in those errant memories. Yes, they’d had moments of ecstasy, of bliss, but those times were over.

So why did the mere anticipation of seeing him make her heart flutter? Why did she have such an intense reaction to him?

Their last time together had ended in a bitter breakup and she had been the one who’d enacted it. She told him they had no future. She had a father who made all the decisions and ran their house with an iron fist. All her life her mother had given in to her dad. Too far back to remember exactly when, Camilla had vowed she would never live a life where she had to constantly give in to someone else about everything. She had to make some of her own decisions beyond what she would wear and whom she’d invite to the next party.

Her brother, as much as she had loved Thane, had been another take-charge man. But she wouldn’t allow herself to choose a man like that for a husband.

At least her dad led a quiet life. Noah, on the other hand, liked challenges.

Noah and she were such opposites that she couldn’t understand the attraction she felt. She was going to Shakespeare in the Park tonight. Noah would never go with her to Shakespeare, the opera or the ballet. He seldom went to art galleries with her. She loved city life, operas, chamber music, her art. Noah was a billionaire rancher, but a cowboy at heart. He loved his ranch, boot-scootin’ honky-tonks, country music, competing in rodeos, flying his planes. He was exuberant, filled with life, and he’d take charge wherever he was. She didn’t want to tie her life to a cowboy who was 100 percent determined to do things his way.

So why did she almost melt when she looked into his vivid blue eyes? Why did his kisses set her on fire? He could make her forget the world, forget what she liked and didn’t like. So easily he could make her want to be in his arms. And that was what he had done the last time she had seen him when he had come home to Texas on a furlough.

They had started out fighting and arguing and ended up in bed in each other’s arms. He had charmed her as he usually did.

For all their differences and her wanting to avoid getting entangled with a wild, take-charge rancher who liked challenges, she had been charmed, dazzled and unable to resist the mutual attraction, and she had spent the weekend in his bed. Now she was going to face the consequences.

When Noah had been home on furlough, he had been more appealing than ever. He had filled out with broad, muscled shoulders, a hard body in prime shape with a narrow waist, endurance that made him fabulous in bed. Just thinking about seeing him again made her pulse race and her insides get tingly.

She didn’t know how she would deal with him. No matter how much she planned to stand firm, to resist him, she feared that all he had to do was wrap his arm around her and kiss her and her resistance would disappear into thin air.

On the other hand, he could be stubborn, determined and unyielding. Which made her wonder how forgiving he could be. She couldn’t answer that, because there hadn’t ever been an occasion between them for her to gauge his ability to forgive.