Authors: Marin Thomas
He stepped outside and looked up at the sky. A few clouds partially hid the moon, shrouding parts of the Grand Teton. One day his house would sit on this spot where their three tents had been pitched. When Ross had been flown home from Kandahar to Walter Reed half dead, he could never have dreamed up a night like this, in a place like this, with a woman like Kit Wentworth.
“Ross?” Andy called to him from the tent door. “Mom says you can come in anytime.”
More progress. She hadn't relegated him to the truck. Though she'd done it for Andy's sake, he'd like to think she wanted him inside with them, too. “Thanks. I'll be right there.”
After a trip into the forest, he was ready for bed and found Andy in the middle sleeping bag. Kit was over on the other side, leaving him guardian of the tent door.
He removed his Levi jacket and boots, then turned off the lantern and climbed in his bag.
“Good night, you two.”
“Good night,” she said.
“Thanks for bringing us up here, Ross.”
“You're welcome, sport.”
Andy turned a couple of times in his bag. Pretty soon Ross could hear the kind of breathing that meant he'd fallen asleep.
Before long he heard sounds of movement coming from the other bag. “Ross?” Kit whispered.
“Yes?”
“Thank for being so good to Andy.”
“He's a wonderful boy.”
“I can see changes in him. All the worries he's had bottled up are coming out. He's talking more than he has in years. It's because of you.”
“I can't take the credit. When you told him he didn't have to live with his grandparents anymore, you're the one who changed history for him.”
“But you have to know you're the one representing security right now. Andy lost what little he had when his father died.”
“You're not giving yourself any credit. You're his mother. Don't you know you're his whole world?”
“He's my whole world, too,” Kit said quietly. “But until that letter from the ranch came, I didn't know where to turn. I'm afraid you've become his hero.”
“Why afraid? I've never been anyone's hero and kind of like the idea.”
“Joke all you want, but it's true. In fact, it has me worried.”
He sat up. “For what reason?”
“Last night he told me that now Winn was gone, he wished you could be his dad.” The words sank deep in Ross's soul, causing his heart rate to triple. “Apparently he and the other children have been doing a lot of talking about the recent changes in their lives. I'm afraid Andy's going to talk to you about it, and I want you to be prepared.”
Ross needed to maneuver his way carefully through this minefield. “Do you know when I was in the hospital, I got pretty down and worried I might never have a family of my own. Since you came, I've been thinking how great it would be to have a son like Andy.”
“But if you were to tell him that to make him happy, he'd hang on to it.”
“I'd only tell him that because it's true. Would that be such a bad thing?”
“You know it would.”
“Because you'll be in Texas.”
“Yes.”
“Wherever you go there's nothing wrong with Andy knowing he's got a friend who loves him here in the Tetons. Yesterday when you were talking to the sheriff, that son of yours climbed right into my heart. You couldn't see what I saw. Andy stood next to you without flinching. For a moment I felt like I was back in Afghanistan.
“We occasionally came across a broken-down car in the road with a mother asking for help, her son at her side willing to protect her, a fearless expression on his face. I never knew if they were the enemy lying in wait. I always held my breath as I approached, anticipating fireworks.
“Andy dealt with the fireworks like a man. The truth is, I couldn't love that boy more if he were my own son. Considering he and I were raised the same way in terms of the emotional and financial environment, plus the domination factor, it's not so strange that we've bonded this fast.”
“You're right,” she admitted in a croaky voice.
“His vulnerability makes him that much more lovable. I don't need to tell you how terrific he is. Don't worry that he might talk to me about his feelings. He already has.”
“What has he said?” She sounded alarmed.
“He's told me he doesn't want to live in Texas. He likes Nila and her daughter well enough, but he really likes Johnny and Jenny and wishes you would buy a bookstore in Jackson so you can live there. I told him that, given time, he might learn to love Texas the way I love the ranch. That's the way we left our conversation. The point is, we're buddies whatever happens in the future. I'll always be his friend.”
Silence filled the interior of the tent.
He lay back down. Having delivered his salvos, he hoped they kept her tossing and turning until morning. For the first time since she'd come to the ranch, he knew he was going to get a good night's sleep for a change.
* * *
K
IT
GOT
DOWN
with Jenny to examine the bluebells that grew in profusion around the end of the lake. “Aren't they beautiful?”
“I want to pick some, but daddy told me I couldn't.”
“I know. The problem is, they're wildflowers and they'll die too fast to enjoy them.”
She could hear Johnny talking to Ross in the background. “Are you sure there are fish in here?”
“I know there are, but they're not feeding today. Maybe the storm yesterday has caused them to feed on the bottom of the lake. We'll have lots of chances in the future to hike up here again.”
“I won't,” Andy muttered.
“'Cos you have to go to Texas, huh.”
“Yes.”
“Hey, guysâI'm afraid it's time for us to hike down to the truck and drive back to the ranch. You have Back To School Night and I promised your folks I'd bring you home in time for baths and dinner first.”
“I don't want school to start. I want to stay up here.”
Ross chuckled. “When you see all the cute girls in your class, Johnny, you'll change your mind.”
“Girls?”
“Yeah. That's why I didn't like my boarding school. There weren't any.”
Kit smiled in spite of the dejection she'd heard in Andy's voice seconds ago.
“I like school,” Jenny piped up.
Kit put an arm around her. “I liked it, too. That's because you're a reader like me.”
“Okay, everybody. Hand me your rods and we'll get going.”
They followed Ross down the mountain. Since the conversation with him in the tent last night when he'd left Kit speechless with his admissions, they hadn't discussed anything. He'd been up before she'd awakened. After breakfast the parents had helped them pack everything before they'd left and Ross had led her and the children up to the lake.
The kids did all the conversing, for which she was grateful. She'd lain awake most of the night with a heavy heart. Kit realized she'd sprung the idea of moving to Texas on Andy without any preparation. It was a lot to ask of him, but these were desperate circumstances.
Naturally he'd rather stay in Jackson near people who'd shown him the time of his life. For Andy to want her to buy a business here and live probably shouldn't have surprised her. But after her talks with Nila, she'd been so focused on Texas, it never occurred to her that Andy would even think about her earning her living somewhere else.
Kit was grateful to Ross for being on her side and not trying to influence Andy. He continued to handle her son in a way that left her awed by his depth of understanding.
Her thoughts drifted back to the day she'd received the letter from Carson. She'd thought it had been a mistake, and she'd called Colonel Hodges. But he'd convinced her it was no mistake. Whether she had money or not wasn't the point. These men needed healing, too.
After listening to Ross last night, she understood what the Colonel had meant. Caring for these children who'd lost their fathers had brought fulfillment to the lives of these retired marines. She saw what it had done for three men who'd been discharged for health reasons and had come home low in body and spirit. What they'd done and were doing was a marvel.
As she watched Ross helping the children down the mountain, a feeling of intense love for him swept through her. Though it was too soon, there was no doubt in her mind she'd fallen terribly in love with him.
Terribly, because as much as she wanted to acknowledge her love to him, it meant handing over a part of herself. It meant being at the mercy of a man again. She didn't know if she could ever do that.
When they reached the truck, Kit got in back with the kids, but this time Andy quietly climbed in front with Ross. She understood. The sand was emptying from the top of the hourglass. The few days left to be with him were precious.
Later, after they'd dropped Johnny off at his house, they pulled into the parking area outside the ranch house. Andy came around as Kit and Jenny got down from the tailgate. She waved goodbye and ran around the corner to find her nana.
“Mom? After dinner Ross is going to take us for a horseback ride down by the river while the kids go over to school with their parents.”
Her body quivered at the mere thought. “That's really nice of him, but aren't you tired after all the hiking we've done?”
“Heck, no. He says the horses need the exercise.”
“Let's hurry to the cabin then and take a shower first.”
“Why? We'll just get grubby again.”
Kit couldn't fault his logic. “Maybe the horses would like it if we smelled better.”
“Mom!”
He ran over to tell Ross what she'd said.
Deep rich laughter poured out of him. Their eyes met for a moment in pure amusement before a look crept into his that made her legs tremble. “Let's freshen up inside and eat.”
She nodded and hurried around to the entrance with Andy. It hadn't taken but one hour of arriving at the ranch on Saturday with Ross to get into the habit of eating, sleeping and having the time of their lives in between. But the fun was going to stop. The more she thought about it, the more she couldn't bear it.
Darkness had settled over the ranch by the time Ross drove them back to their cabin from the stable. After he pulled to a stop, he turned to them. “I'm going to give you an hour, then I'm coming by to drive you to my home where you'll stay with me until you leave the ranch.”
Andy's eyes rounded. “But Buck hasn't built it yet!”
“That's true. I'm talking about the home I live in right now. The whole upstairs of the ranch house is mine. I have my own apartment. The other one across the hall used to be the one for Buck. Since I've lived in Wyoming, I've never invited anyone upstairs before. You'll be the first ones.”
“Can we, Mom?”
He captured her gaze. “After sleeping with you in the tent last night, the thought of sleeping alone doesn't sound like much fun.”
She knew what he was really telling her. He'd had his share of women, but no woman had passed over his threshold while he'd been living here. But he also had another more compelling agenda. For some reason he wanted her and Andy under the ranch house roof from here on out.
This had to do with Charles, otherwise Ross wouldn't be making such an unprecedented decision. As usual, he was handling it in a way that wouldn't alarm Andy.
Kit knew what she ought to reply to protect her heart, but her son's shining eyes defeated her. “Well, since we'll be your first guests, we can hardly turn down your gracious invitation. Maybe we should find a tree outside in the morning and carve your initials. âAW slept here.'”
“Make it AW and K and we'll do it,” Ross murmured.
“Cool!”
“Why don't you hurry and shower first, honey.”
“You can wear your pajamas over, sport.”
“Okay.” After he'd gone inside the cabin she turned to Ross. “What's happened?”
“Your father-in-law left a message at the front desk. You're to expect a visitor sometime between now and tomorrow morning. I know you can handle him, but I'd rather you had some warning than simply answering your cabin door to him.”
“So would I. Thank you, Ross.”
He nodded. “I'll be back.”
Kit hurried inside. Andy had already gotten in the shower. She started packing as fast as she could. They hadn't brought much with them, so it was no huge chore. Andy came out again in his camouflage pajamas so she could shower.
As she hurried in the bathroom, he said, “I just love him, Mom.”
I know you do. So do I.
When they were ready, Kit did a once-over of the cabin to make sure they hadn't left anything before she went outside to the truck. Ross helped her inside next to Andy, and they took off.
He parked at the rear of the ranch house. Together they carried their things down a hallway that led to the staircase.
“This is fun. I've never seen this part of the ranch house before.”
“It's about time you did,” he said on a cough.
Buck was just coming out of the office and saw them. His eyes widened. “Heyâwhat's going on?”
“Ross is moving us into your old apartment!”
A half smile broke out on his face. “Is that right?”
“Yeah. He says he's been lonely.”
“That's a fact. Jenny and Alex are going to be thrilled to have friends around this place.”
Kit smiled. “We're happy about it, too, believe me.”
Buck's gaze drifted to Ross. “What can I do to help?”
“Thanks, but Andy and I have it covered. How did Back To School Night go?”
“Pretty well, but they've put the kids in two separate classes. That kind of upset them. Alex is going to go over there in the morning and see what she can do to keep them together. We're hoping that when the administration understands the uniqueness of their situation, they'll cooperate.”