Home on the Ranch: Colorado Cowboy Read online

  “I think Hobo and I looked pitiful.”

  “Pitiful? You?” Josh replied.

  “Hell, I had three days of beard and two days of dirt on me. I looked pretty deplorable, and Hobo here looked even worse. He had a lifetime of dirt on him. It all went well until we got to the bath...”

  Josh raised an eyebrow.

  “It was all very proper. She abandoned me when Hobo decided he didn’t want a bath.”

  “Abandoned?”

  Ross chuckled. “You’re just full of questions,” he said. “Well, she provided soap and water and left me to cope. I suppose she thought it was a battle between two males. The bathroom was a lake before I finished.”

  Josh grinned. “That little dog? I thought better of you.”

  “So did I. What’s a little bath? I thought. After all, I rescued him and deserved some respect. Unfortunately he had none.”

  “I like him already,” Josh said.

  “He’s a fine dog,” Ross said, trying to contain the hope in his voice. “Just needs a good home. Don’t you want a dog?”

  “I’ll tell you what,” Josh replied. “Because—and only because—you’re my friend I’ll consider...”

  “Taking him?” Ross said hopefully.

  “Hell, no, but I’ll teach you how to cope with a pet. Eight animals came along with my wife and her son.”

  “Eight?” Ross couldn’t keep the horror from his voice.

  “Yeah. Five dogs, a crazy cat and two horses. Six dogs if you include Amos.” Not only did I gain a wife and son, but a damn zoo.

  “Then you wouldn’t even notice one more,” Ross countered.

  “My wife might not, but I would,” Josh replied. “Just wait until you meet her. I was the ogre of Covenant Falls until she rudely interrupted my self-imposed seclusion. She’s a people whisperer as well as an animal whisperer.”

  “How is Amos? I’d heard you found him and adopted him.”

  “How did you hear that?”

  “The outfit’s grapevine,” Ross explained. “Your search for your partner’s military dog has become legend. I was real sorry to hear about Dave.”

  “That’s how I came to be here,” Josh replied. “You probably heard he died saving my life. Well, he had no family and left me a cabin here. I was riddled with guilt and didn’t want the damn thing. But then I found Amos who had canine PTSD and we had to go somewhere. The cabin was in pretty bad condition. I thought I would fix it up, sell it and Amos and I would go be hermits somewhere. Eve, the mayor, and had other ideas.

  “After a rocky start, Amos is fine now. He’s at home now, taking care of the rest of the brood. He’ll be at the party tonight.” Josh unwound his long legs. “You’d better get your key, then I’ll take you to Jubal’s ranch and you can meet him and look around.

  “You said he was a former SEAL?”

  “Yeah. Jubal had a rough time as a prisoner of a terrorist group. The physical damage kept him from returning to the SEALs. He came here to see an army buddy and fell in love with a horse. Riding helped him so much he wanted to share the experience. Thus, the New Beginnings Ranch. Right now, it’s a work in progress, which is why I wanted you here. A two-or four-or six-week stay doesn’t help much if our veterans go home and fall back into depression. We’re hoping you can help them establish habits they’ll take home with them.”

  “It’s at Jubal’s ranch?” Ross asked.

  Josh nodded. “Jubal’s neighbor—Luke—is a Vietnam vet. He’s nearly seventy but could probably beat the hell out of me. Both he and his wife have been raising horses and teaching horsemanship for years. Although the bunkhouse and stables for New Beginnings are on Jubal’s property, we’re using Luke’s land and cattle, as well. Some other ranchers are participating as well by loaning us horses and equipment. This has turned into a community project.”

  He took a sip of coffee. “There’s a cookout tonight at New Beginnings and everyone involved will be there, including the program’s participants. In fact, they’re in charge of the menu.”

  Ross nodded, trying not to show his reluctance. He hadn’t been on a ranch since he was ten years old. Even the smell of hay brought back flashbacks he’d spent his life trying to forget. Only Josh could have lured him back. He was the one man that Ross couldn’t refuse.

  “I’ll pick up my room key and leave my stuff there,” he said. “I’m not sure what to do with the little guy here.”

  “Bring him along,” Josh said. “You can ride with me. Jubal’s ranch is just a few miles out of town.”

  “Give me ten minutes, tops. ” He stood and went into the lobby to the main desk. Susan was checking another couple out, and Mark was helping someone else. No one else was in line.

  She finished with the departing couple, and Ross approached the desk.

  Susan smiled. “You survived the bath. I knew you had it in you,” she said lightly, laughter dancing in her eyes.

  “Then you were more optimistic than me,” he replied, charmed by her smile. “Thanks for breakfast and for cleaning the bathroom. And I have to admit the bed was far superior to your garage floor.”

  “You’re welcome. I hope you’ll like the room here, as well.” She’d suddenly turned back into the efficient innkeeper. Her dark hair was in a neat French twist, and she wore business garb: blue slacks, white blouse and blue jacket. More interesting was that nonstop energy despite little sleep.

  If she noticed his scrutiny she didn’t show it as she typed away on the computer. “You got lucky,” she said. “One of the first guests to check out had the room I had in mind for you. Number 18. It’s been cleaned. Just turn left and go down the hall. It’s on the right at the end of the corridor.

  “There’s an outside door next to the room,” she continued in a businesslike tone. “You can park there, and there’s a green area for Hobo. He’s the only dog in residence now. He’s certainly the cleanest.”

  “I apologize for the bathroom,” he said. “I did my best to clean it.”

  “I’ve seen worse,” she teased.

  “When?”

  “When I bathed Vagabond the first time. And the second time when she got into something nasty. And, unfortunately, the third.” Then she changed subjects. “I’ll have your clothes ready later.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “No problem. They’re in the machine at home. It’s the least I could do after giving your room away. I’ll leave them in your room later.” She handed him a paper. “Just sign here with your name, address and contact number. I won’t need a credit card since Mr. Morgan is taking care of everything.”

  After he completed registration, she handed him an actual metal key and briefly explained the amenities. “Starting at 6:00 a.m., there’s coffee and pastries here in the lobby. There’s complimentary wine in the afternoon in the library. The dining room isn’t open except on weekends, but two restaurants—Maude’s and the Rusty Nail—deliver. There’s menus in the room.” Her tone was neutral.

  He was just another guest now.

  “How’s Hobo?” she asked.

  “Clean, thanks to you. He collapsed in the basket last night. The bath wore him out. And me.”

  She smiled at that. “I hope you enjoy your stay,” she said as she turned to an older man who had just approached the desk.

  To his surprise, the dismissal stung. On the other hand, it was probably a good thing. He was only going to be here a short time and he expected Josh would keep him busy. After that, he wasn’t sure. Could be more jobs in Hollywood. He often stayed in private homes or the client paid for an expensive hotel room. The pay was lucrative and allowed him to do pro bono work, mainly with VA facilities.

  The experiences were mixed, but he must be doing something right because he continued to have referrals. Problem was expectations. The client—they usually preferred that description t
o patient—often had unrealistic goals. They tended to return to the set before they were ready. He left the desk and reported back to Josh. “The room is ready,” he said. “Give me five minutes to leave my stuff there. Since you’ve had so much experience with dogs, you can look after Hobo until I get back.”

  He plopped Hobo in Josh’s lap and left before he or the dog could protest. He checked out the room, then went to his bike and drove it around a narrow path to the side of the building and parked it. He threw the saddlebags over his shoulder and unstrapped the two baskets on the back of the bike, then took them inside to his temporary home.

  Like Susan’s house, the room was warm and welcoming. Quilts rather than comforters topped the beds. The walls were decorated with prints of mountains, just as her home had been. The interior sign with standard fire and theft precautions included a drawing of two camels looking at the occupants with suspicion.

  It made him smile.

  He wondered if Susan Hall had named the inn. It sounded like her often-whimsical sense of humor.

  Josh was waiting. Ross locked the door and went to meet his friend.

  Hobo was sitting in Josh’s lap, looking at him with adoration. He hadn’t done that with Ross, but then Josh hadn’t dragged him across country in a small basket. Still, he felt aggrieved at the lack of loyalty.

  “We should get going,” Josh said. “Jubal is waiting for us.”

  “What about Hobo?” he asked.

  “Have you fed him?” Josh asked.

  “Your innkeeper was kind enough to leave some corn flakes for him this morning. I’ll have to find some dog food until I can find him a home. And I do want that leg looked at. Do you know when the vet will be back?”

  “I called while you were in the room. She hopes to be back late this afternoon. They’ve narrowed the search area. She’ll call as soon as she arrives, but he looks good aside from being thin and that leg. I supposed you designed that little splint.”

  He nodded. “I don’t think he needs it, though. I’ve watched him put some weight on it.”

  Josh’s cell phone rang. He looked at the number. “I should get this.”

  “Go ahead,” Ross said.

  He heard Josh’s quick questions. “When? Where is he? Are you all right?”

  Then he hung up. “Sorry, I have to leave. My stepson fell while chasing one of our dogs. My wife thinks he broke his arm.”

  “Go,” Ross insisted. “I can find my way to the ranch.”

  “Wait here,” Josh said. He disappeared from the library and returned almost immediately.

  “Susan will take you,” he said. “She knows as much about this program as I do.” He left before Ross could protest.

  If he wanted to.

  He discovered he didn’t. Josh’s last sentence intrigued him. She knows as much about this program as I do. Yet another side to the innkeeper?

  * * *

  Twenty minutes later, Ross sat next to Susan in her Jeep. Because his long legs filled the space on the floor, Hobo sat on his lap.

  “You’re involved in the equine program as well as the inn?” he asked. He wanted to discover more about his driver.

  “I’m just a volunteer,” she replied.

  Watch it. He kept telling himself that. He’d been interested last night. He liked her. He was attracted to her although she wasn’t the type of woman who usually drew his interest. Maybe because he usually looked for someone who, like him, wasn’t interested in a long relationship.

  Susan, on the other hand, was a nester. It was obvious from her home. It shouted permanence while he was a bone deep wanderer.

  It was clear she loved her job, her home and the town and he wasn’t surprised she was involved with Josh’s program. He’d noticed how deftly she interacted with guests at the inn, including him.

  It was a rare talent but then she seemed to be a woman of many talents. She was as comfortable bathing a filthy dog as she was in business clothes talking to customers. She seemed equally at ease with both her boss and her employees.

  What he couldn’t figure out was why a woman so attractive was apparently single.

  Not that his impressions mattered. He liked his life now. He’d worked hard for it. After years in the army and more years getting his degree, he relished the freedom to go where he wanted when he wanted. He enjoyed working with people, helping them mend and then going on his way.

  “Are you still with me?” Her words broke into his thoughts.

  She was also a mind reader. “Yeah,” he said. “It’s fine country. Good grass.”

  “You sound like you’re familiar with it.”

  “Not really. It’s just obvious.” He hoped the tone in his voice would quiet the questions. His fingers kneaded Hobo’s fur but he gentled them as soon as he realized he might be too rough. Those damned emotions were kicking up.

  “This is New Beginnings Ranch,” Susan said as she turned onto a gravel road lined on both sides with white fences. Horses grazed in the pasture and several looked up as Susan turned toward a group of buildings fronted by an unassuming one-story brick home.

  Memories started flooding him. He tensed as they approached what appeared to be a stable about forty yards from the house. You’re not a kid anymore. Stay in the present. Don’t go back now.

  “Tell me about the owner,” Ross said. Josh had said a little, but Ross wanted to know more if he was working with him.

  “Ex-Navy SEAL Jubal Pierce. You probably heard about him when he appeared after two years of captivity in Africa. His body had been starved, and there was muscle and bone damage. He didn’t have the strength to return to the SEALS and was at loose ends. The police chief here, another vet, was a friend and invited him to stay in Covenant Falls for a few days.

  “Obviously he stayed.”

  Susan nodded. “He’s not hesitant to admit he was a mess when he came here. His captivity and the loss of his team really affected him. He couldn’t understand why he survived when the others didn’t. He was running down the road we just traveled when he stopped to watch horses in the pasture. One reminded him of a horse his father once owned. He met Luke, the owner of the ranch, who invited him to ride that horse. The two became good friends, then partners. That’s how it started.”

  It sounded familiar, too familiar. He didn’t know whether she was aware of the sudden tightening of his body.

  She continued, “He started riding here and fell in love with both the horse and our local doctor. In that order. He believes riding literally saved him, thus the name, New Beginnings Ranch.”

  “And your part?”

  “Very small. I’m helping with publicity and coordination with the VA who refers vets to us. Neither Josh nor Jubal have the patience or tact to do it. I double majored in hospitality and marketing in college and, believe me, you learn tact in both fields. I also try to locate sponsors and generally help where I can.”

  Ross mentally scolded himself. He’d been grateful last night to a woman who worked at the inn. Her smile revived something inside him. Now, though, she was apparently much more than an inn employee. Not that it mattered. He just should have recognized it sooner.

  “Do you ride?” he asked.

  “Since I was a kid. Practically everyone in Covenant Falls does. That’s why the entire town is behind this. There’s another reason. Even before the recent arrival of vets, a large percentage of our population are veterans or have a son or daughter in the military.” She paused. “What about you? Do you ride now?”

  He hesitated, then admitted, “Not since I was a kid.”

  The conversation ended as she drove into a parking area and stopped. She stepped out of the Jeep and Ross followed, trying to puzzle the relationships in the town. When Josh called him, he had no idea of the scope of what they were trying to do.

  Josh had sent him information on the different vete
rans in Covenant Falls and their roles with the program. He hadn’t mentioned Susan.

  Before they reached the door, a tall lean man in jeans and a plaid shirt emerged from the house and met them. He thrust out his hand to Ross. “I’m Jubal Pierce. Good to have you here. Josh says good things about you. Said you were a damn good medic. Now a damn good physical therapist.” Ross had no idea how Josh would know the latter. But then Josh had always been prepared in whatever he did.

  He didn’t know how to reply so he just let the comment go. He released the strong grip.

  “I take it Susan has taken good care of you,” Jubal said.

  “She has.” Ross didn’t elaborate.

  “Good. I’ll give you a brief tour and introduce you to our current gang of vets.” He turned to Susan. “And what do you have in your arms?”

  “This is Hobo,” Susan said. “Ross acquired him on the way here. He’s hoping he can foist Hobo on you or one of your vets for a few hours if not forever.”

  “He does, huh?” Jubal said with the hint of a smile. “Why don’t you take him to the stables?” he asked Susan. “There’s several guys looking after their horses back there. One of them will look after him for an hour or so while I talk to Ross and show him around.”

  “Me?” Susan asked.

  “They’ll do anything you ask.”

  “Why do I think you’re conning me again?”

  “Because you know me too well,” Jubal said. “And also because it’s true.”

  “Well, I like them, too,” she said. “I’ll find a temporary caretaker for Hobo, then head back to the inn. I’ve left the inn on Mark’s young shoulders. I’ll be back for the cookout.”

  “Why don’t you come earlier? We’re going to put some of the vets who have some riding experience on horses after lunch. Why don’t you ride with us? Kate’s going and she might want female company.”

  “I would like that.” Susan said.

  “By the way, our guys really enjoyed the pageant last night. It was a great idea to invite them. I never would have thought of it. They got to know each other and had something to talk about other than themselves. It also got them excited about the area.”