Chapter Fourteen

H ow in the world could she let that happen? Yes, she’d been wondering what it would be like to kiss Nathan, but she hadn’t meant to follow through with the thought clamoring in her mind, making her want something that wasn’t possible.

“What’s wrong?” her mother asked from the kitchen island where she’d assembled everything they needed to make pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. The last supplies they needed were the can of pumpkin and the chocolate chips she’d grabbed before running from Nathan’s kiss.

Shaking her head in denial, Izzy told herself she hadn’t run. She never left any challenge unanswered.

Okay... maybe she had run! Worse than that, she could lose herself in Nathan’s kiss if it ever happened again.

“Izzy?”

Not wanting to admit to Sylvia that she may have just made the worst, reckless mistake of her life, she said, “I’m fine, Mom.”

Sylvia had that look in her eyes. The same one she’d had when she caught Izzy kissing Evan Fuller at her high school prom. Her mom had arrived early to pick her up. With the instincts of a suspicious parent, she’d found her daughter and the geeky chess player tucked away in a corner barely coming up for air.

Izzy had been so embarrassed by being caught and by the disappointed look Sylvia didn’t even try to hide, she was in college before she thought about kissing a boy again.

Sylvia waved her over. “I’ll take those.” The groceries she was clutching to her chest. “Did I see you kissing Nathan Lohmen?”

“Maybe,” she answered slowly. But by the grin spreading across her mom’s face, she was teasing, not scolding. “Oh, all right, yes.”

The days of being embarrassed at being caught kissing a boy... they were long gone. Still, it didn’t hurt to redirect Sylvia. “Have you kissed George?”

Sylvia’s expression went dreamy. “He’s a good kisser.”

“Mom!”

“Well, he is.” Sylvia grinned playfully at Izzy. “Are things getting serious between you and Nathan?”

“No. We’ve talked about this, Mom. He’s a good guy and I like him, but our lives are not heading in the same direction.”

Sylvia eased the grocery bag from her grip. “Does Nathan know you feel that way?”

“I’m sure he knows. I haven’t kept my plans secret.” Was he thinking that their kiss meant more than it did?

Stay calm.

They made muffins and talked about everything except what was foremost on Izzy’s mind.

Nathan kissed her!

There was no reason to get excited over a simple lip lock, even though afterward it had sounded like he was asking her to stay.

*

After putting the muffins in the oven, her mom took Izzy’s hand. “You know I’ve always tried to stay out of your business—”

Izzy arched her brows.

“Okay, for the most part.” Sylvia laughed. “But can I make one suggestion before I leave tomorrow?”

Nodding, Izzy squeezed her mom’s hand.

“You’ve been working very hard since you got out of college. Maybe it’s time to take a break before you leave here for your next job. I’m sure the Lohmens would let you stay as long as you like. The ranch would be a good place to catch your breath before deciding where to go from here.”

Part of her wanted to take her mom’s advice. The other part wasn’t sure she could take a so-called break. Especially with Nathan living next door. She gave her mom a weak smile. “I’ll think about it.”

After Sylvia had packed and gone to bed, Izzy lay awake, unable to sleep. She kept thinking about their conversation and Nathan’s kiss. She shouldn’t stay, should she? Even for a brief respite. She didn’t want Nathan to become her whole world. She hadn’t fallen that hard for Jim, but she’d thought he could be her sunrise and sunset. She just wasn’t sure she could let herself go there again.

And she didn’t want to give up her life’s plan. Did she?

*

The next morning, with the sun coming up over the horizon, Izzy hugged her mom goodbye and then watched Sylvia drive off on her next adventure. Her mom had spent years as a single parent, determined to give her only child a foundation she could not only rely on but lean on too. With Izzy well established, it was Sylvia’s turn now. In so many ways, she envied her mother.

Maybe her mom was right. She ran her own business and could take a break and see what came rolling up to her door.

Looking back on the incident, it wasn’t hard to see that she’d overreacted to Nathan’s kiss. So, a handsome rancher kissed her—and what a kiss it was. That didn’t mean she had to get her feathers all ruffled. Her unexpected panic did mean she should apologize to the cowboy for reacting like a na?ve schoolgirl.

For heaven’s sake, Izzy chided herself. She’d kissed men before. And she’d come within a hair’s breadth of getting married. It wasn’t like she was that inexperienced. She thought of the muffins on the kitchen counter and had an idea. The next thing she knew she was knocking on the main house door, carrying a plate of napkin-wrapped muffins.

Jonas answered the door and said, “Nathan’s in the kitchen.” He cast her a curious look, then headed upstairs.

Closing the door behind her, Izzy went to the kitchen, where sure enough, she found Nathan. “Um, hi.”

He glanced at her, “Hi,” then went back to loading the last of what looked like the breakfast dishes in the dishwasher.

He didn’t scowl at her, but he wasn’t welcoming, either.

“Look, I’m sorry about yesterday—I overreacted.” She held out the plate. “I brought muffins as a peace offering.”

“You didn’t have to do that.” He closed the dishwasher and faced her; his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against the counter. “Don’t worry about it.”

His dark brows pulled together. It didn’t look like she shouldn’t worry.

She put the muffins on the table and tried to explain. “I’m always on the move, Nathan, and after Jim, well, I’m not sure if I can commit to someone new at this point.” She pushed her hands into her back pockets. She sounded like a nervous Nelly and didn’t want to be seen wringing her hands too.

“I get it.” He uncrossed his arms. “You’re already getting inquiries for your next job. And you’re all about the job, right?” The words weren’t accusing exactly, more like Nathan was stating a fact as he saw it.

Still, she didn’t like the picture he painted.

“I wouldn’t put it like that. I like you a lot, but we’re friends. Aren’t we?” She wasn’t just about the job. To prove it, she said, “After we’re done fixing the ranch’s finances, I’m thinking of taking some time off.” Not completely her idea, but during a restless night she’d decided Sylvia had a point. “I’m hoping I can continue to stay on in the guesthouse. If that’s okay with you.”

“Friends. Sure. Okay.” He straightened. “For how long? A week? A month?”

“I don’t know.” For the first time, she was at a loss to quantify her plans. She’d never been very good at improvising. “A week or two, maybe.” Not a month. That would give the rancher watching her, unable to hide his doubt, the wrong idea. That his kiss had meant something.

“Wait here.” Nathan disappeared into the office and returned before she could wonder what he was up to. He handed her a small square of drawing paper. It was an ink image of him and Duke, the horse just behind his shoulder.

“This is perfect. Exactly what we need for the logo,” Izzy said softly.

“Good. Are you ready to take care of the horses and maybe work on your barrel lessons today?”

The man who’d taken her to the food carts for lunch and talked to her about the ranch’s potential was gone. Today, Nathan was the boss talking to a contractor he’d hired. Izzy regretted that they were back to square one.

“I’m ready,” she said nonetheless and led the way out to the barn. If she stayed, well... there was no point in going over that again. She squared her shoulders. It was better to just keep going forward, although taking seven to ten days off before heading to the next job wasn’t a bad idea. Getting burned out because she paid no attention to her work-life balance was the last thing she needed.

After they got to the barn, she went right to work cleaning the stalls while Nathan put the horses out to pasture. When he wasn’t looking, she took pictures behind his back, of the cowboy with his animals to humanize the ranch on social media. She would get his permission to post them, just not today.

But it wasn’t like he was unaware. “Why are you taking pictures?”

“To put on social media so potential clients can see and experience what it would be like to have their wedding at the cottage and want to sign up for riding lessons while they’re here.” No more secrets. She promised, “I’ll show them to you before I post anything.”

Watching her cautiously, he nodded. “I’d appreciate that. Thanks.”

“I have another idea too.”

He shook his head. “No more suggestions , Izzy. We have plenty to work with for now. And the bank loan gives us a little breathing room.”

After that, they cleaned the stalls without talking. She was disappointed he didn’t want to hear her latest brainstorm, but she understood. She could be too much.

In any case, it was a losing argument. Take the next job or not? She loved the sounds of the barn but missed the man who’d shared himself with her too. Deprived of the comradery they’d established was terrible, but really, why was she letting this discussion go on in her head?

Nathan couldn’t possibly be that bothered. It was just a kiss after all.

He was cleaning the last stall. Joining him, she asked, just to clarify. “If you were me, and you were looking at future opportunities, what would you do?”

“That’s not a fair question,” he said scooping the last of the used hay and sawdust into the wheelbarrow then moved it out of the stall.

“Why not?”

Before he answered her, a man came into the barn. “Mr. Lohmen?”

Izzy didn’t recognize the well-dressed dude wearing a suit in the August heat and shiny boots hinting at comfortable money. In her line of work, she’d seen it before.

“Yes.” Nathan put the wheelbarrow to the side. “How can I help you?”

“My name is Dan Jaeger.” The stranger touched his fingers to the brim of his cowboy hat and nodded at Izzy. “Ma’am.”

Nathan introduced her, but Izzy hung back. She had a feeling—

Jaeger turned his attention back to Nathan. “I came to make an offer for the Triple L. My real estate guy sent a letter.”

“The ranch isn’t for sale, Mr. Jaeger,” Nathan said firmly, then laid the hay fork on top of the wheelbarrow.

Jaeger came further into the barn. “I think you’ll reconsider.” He named a price that had Izzy catching her breath.

“Why do you want to buy the Triple L?” Nathan’s gaze narrowed on Jaeger, unimpressed with the amount the man offered.

He gave Nathan his business card. “I have a dude ranch over in Wyoming, and I want to expand my tourist business into Colorado.”

After glancing at the card, Nathan’s shoulders stiffened. “You have a dude ranch?”

“Yes. Adding the Triple L here in Colorado will double my revenue.”

Izzy took a step closer to Nathan, just in case he decided to take action on the dislike rolling off him in waves.

“Like I said, Mr. Jaeger, the ranch isn’t for sale.”

Jaeger’s brows shoved together. “I can offer more.” Apparently, the man wasn’t used to being told no .

“I don’t want more.” Nathan took an uncompromising step toward the other man. “You should leave now.”

Jaeger was the taller man, but Izzy was sure Nathan, built to move mountains, like those on the backside of the ranch, could take him with one hand tied behind his back. Nathan Lohmen had a lot of don’t-push-me pent up inside.

Jaeger got the message. Without a word, he turned on his heel and retreated to the big, black truck he’d parked in front of the barn. They followed him and watched as he spun his tires and raced down the drive, slinging dirt into the air.

Jonas joined them. “Who was that?”

“He wants to buy the ranch.” Nathan practically growled at his brother and handed him Jaeger’s business card. “I told him the ranch isn’t for sale.”

“Did he get the message?”

Nathan nodded.

“Good. How did he get the idea that the Triple L was for sale?”

“Don’t know. Don’t care,” Nathan frowned.

They both glanced at Izzy. She held up her hands. “Don’t look at me like that. You have my business plan and nowhere in that proposal do I recommend that you sell the ranch.”

“Sorry, Izzy,” Jonas said, taking a deep breath. “I wasn’t accusing you.”

Nathan stayed quiet, but she was pretty sure he knew she wouldn’t put his home up for sale without it being his idea. It would kill her reputation and future business if she did something as shoddy as that.

And if she ever wanted a chance with the cowboy, she’d never get it. Just in case, she asked, “Nathan?”

Hands propped on his hips as he gazed at the horses in the pasture, he shrugged and shook his head. “No, I know. It wasn’t you.”

It was a good thing her job here was almost done because, suddenly, not having Nathan’s complete trust was worse than considering giving up the life she’d worked so hard to build.

He brought Rosie in from the pasture and cleaned tack while she brushed the mare down. When she finished, she saddled the horse, making sure every strap and buckle was tight and secure.

Nathan’s silence bore down on her shoulders. When she couldn’t stand it anymore, she said, “You’re quiet.”

“Not much to say, I guess.” He sighed heavily and put the harnesses he was cleaning aside. Reaching for the saddle on Rosie’s back, he tugged at the straps to make sure they were snug. “You asked earlier what I would do if I were in your shoes. What inquiries have you gotten so far?”

Izzy put on Rosie’s harness. “There’s a nursery in Bellingham, Washington that wants to merge with another garden center. A museum in Chicago needs help improving foot traffic and buyers for the art pieces they’re showing. And there’s a ranch in Montana that is looking to explore more income. Similar to what we’re doing here.” At the change in his expression, she said, “Not Mr. Jaeger.”

“Well, I guess it’s up to you. Those are all good options.” He looked at her over the top of the saddle. “It depends on where you want to take your business in the long run.”

Relieved that he was talking again, she said, “I’m not sure. I have to think about that some more.”

“It’s not an easy decision to make.” His dark eyes went soft with understanding and a little regret, too. He pulled on the belly strap. “You’re good to go.”

Suddenly realizing he hadn’t saddled Duke, she asked, “You’re not riding with me?”

“No, I’ll stand back and watch. I want to check your balance and see how Rosie reads your signals.” There were three barrels set up in a triangle, spaced fairly far apart, in the middle of the arena. “First lap, walk a clover leaf around each barrel, going from one to the next. Pick up the pace with each lap, but don’t break into a flat-out run.”

After an hour Izzy had gotten the hang of circling the barrels. Nathan waved her in. “Good job. You’re getting better.”

“Thanks.” She dismounted and wondered what Nathan would say if she asked him to dinner. Two friends enjoying a meal together. That sounded innocent enough. “I could make dinner tonight...”

He didn’t look her way. “Can’t. I have another student coming.”

“Another student?” Izzy stopped in her tracks, hanging onto Rosie’s reigns.

Nathan gave her a long look as he backed up heading for the pasture. “Yeah. Jonas hung an ad at the feed store and put a calendar by the phone in the house. Three students have already signed up.”

“Congratulations.” That was quick results and what the brothers wanted, right?

“Thanks.” He spun around, seeming to be in a hurry to get away, but then he stopped and faced her. “You go ahead and brush Rosie down. If you would put her in her stall for the night, I’d appreciate it. Make sure she has water.”

Had he forgotten that she’d been working in the barn for more than a week? “Of course.”

“I’ll leave you to it then.” He pulled his cowboy hat low over his eyes and off he went to the pasture, his back ramrod straight, his strides long.

Disappointed at his apparent brush-off but determined not to give the rancher any more time by lamenting the change in their relationship—if they even had one that was anything more than owner and contractor—after she finished settling Rosie for the night, she went inside to make her solitary dinner.

She was making a stuffed burrito when her phone rang. “I’m so glad you called,” she told Malorie.

Her friend was in the kitchen, too, if the sound of a pot landing on the counter was anything to go by. The kids must be helping her cook. “Why? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Izzy put as much energy into the one word as she could. She was not in the mood to talk about—

“It’s Nathan, isn’t it?”

She should have known she couldn’t keep anything from her best friend. They’d been through too much together. “Maybe, but that’s not why I’m glad you called. I was hoping you could take me to pick up the Rover tomorrow.”

“Of course, I can. What time?”

Malorie would badger her about Nathan on the way to Michaels’ Garage, but that would give her time to decide what it was that was roiling in her chest. “I’ve got chores in the morning, so maybe nine?”

“I’ll be there. I’ve got some good news,” Malorie said, a happy note in her voice.

Izzy plopped her burrito in the microwave and set the timer. “What’s that?”

“The Wedding Cottage is booked every weekend for the next five weeks.” For the time being, Malorie had volunteered to be the curator for the cottage around her schedule at the hospital.

Propping the phone between her ear and shoulder, Izzy wiped her hands on a tea towel. “That’s wonderful. And fast.”

“Yeah. Quicker than we thought. You’ve done it, Izzy. You’re going to save the ranch.”

“Not all by myself. This was a group effort. And we’re not quite there yet.” She’d come to the ranch full of excitement at the opportunity to bring the Triple L out of its financial slump. Unfortunately, one week of earnings wasn’t solid proof of her success.

Aside from the finances improving somewhat, nothing had changed except she’d kissed Nathan Lohmen. And when she had, she’d also realized she would give up too much if she followed her longing down a road that would not end up where she’d planned to go.

“Where do you go next?” Malorie asked quietly.

Good question. “I’m not sure.”

Suddenly, none of her choices appealed as much as staying in Strawberry Ridge and finding out if she and Nathan could come together in something more personal than a business deal.