A NANNY FOR THE GRUMPY COWBOY

(ROLSTON RANCH BROTHERS SERIES)

HANNA HART

Copyright ©2022 by Hanna Hart - All rights reserved.

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CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Epilogue

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About the Author

CHAPTER 1

***FREDDIE***

“I’m sorry I’m not there, darling.”

“It’s not your fault. You didn’t know I was coming. I didn’t know I’d be coming back so soon.” The disappointment was too hard to keep out of her voice.

Her father heard it right away, despite his bad cell phone reception. “Now, you listen here, Junior. You’ll be back on your feet before you know it.”

Frederica tipped her head back to hold in the tears. After a deep breath, she agreed with her father. “You’re right. I’ll find a job and my own place soon. When are you getting back home?”

There was a familiar pause. Fred Dover was a long-haul trucker and, while the money helped provide everything his only child needed, he always regretted his absences. It was easier when she was off in San Francisco pursuing her dreams, but now she was back and he wasn’t there to mend her broken heart. “Three weeks, there and back.”

She forced a smile she hoped he could hear over the phone. “I will definitely be back on my feet by then!”

“I know you will, Junior. You’re tough stuff and there’s no doubt about it. That dance troupe doesn’t know what it’s missing.”

They kept up a few more minutes of small talk, her pretending she was all right and her father reminding her of household details she still knew by heart. Finally, her father hung up, and Frederica immediately grabbed the keys to his old pickup truck. She had to get out of the house before the quiet of the country homestead crushed her.

She’d grown up on the outskirts of Isabel, Texas, a small town far enough southwest of San Antonio that locals just described the distance as ‘a ways.’ It was practically in the middle of nowhere and, compared to the busy metropolitan noise of San Francisco, the wide Texas countryside was painfully quiet. A truck and horse trailer rattled by on the dusty road and wistfully reminded Frederica of clanging street cars.

She skirted the tall weeds in her father’s neglected front yard and cranked open the rusty door of his old pickup. It started, still reliable as always, and she quickly pulled onto the road headed to town. The radio blared country music, and Frederica was glad the twanging song in no way reminded her of the music she’d danced to over and over again during rehearsals. With the window open and the sweet spring breeze in her hair, she could almost pretend she hadn’t left Texas in the first place.

Frederica felt grounded for the first time in months, brought back to earth by the wide fields and familiarly far horizon, and that’s why the white horse was such a surprise. It cantered casually down the center of the road and didn’t shy off course even when Frederica swerved out of its way.

“Where on earth are you going?” She called out the open window to the escaped horse.

She stopped on the shoulder of the road, turned off the pickup and jumped out. Up ahead, Frederica could see a truck and trailer pulled off to the side of the road and she headed in that direction first.

“You drive like you’ve never been behind the wheel in your godforsaken life, and then you let the horse out?” The man in the black Stetson kicked the side of the horse trailer, causing the young target of his ire to shrink back.

“There was a dog, I swear!”

Frederica recognized her young neighbor, who often took care of her father’s house when he was on the road. The scrawny teen scrubbed nervously at his arms as he faced his angry boss. The man in the black Stetson didn’t show an ounce of pity. He towered over her neighbor and she estimated he was at least six feet and two inches of upset Texan. She kept marching closer, listening to every word.

“So, you almost crashed a work vehicle and injured thousands of dollars’ worth of horseflesh over a mangy mutt?”

“Ms. Jackson’s dog is a purebred German Shepherd, one of the best dogs in Isabel,” Frederica called out. “Don’t worry, Justin; he’s safe on his front porch.”

Justin looked from her to Ms. Jackson’s front porch and heaved a huge sigh of relief. Then he caught sight of his glowering boss and quickly said, “I’ll get the horses back real quick! I’m on it!”

His boss snatched off his hat and slapped it angrily against his blue-jean thigh. Frederica was glad she was still a few yards away, so he didn’t catch her quick gasp. Angry or not, the man was gorgeous. Tawny gold hair fell across his forehead in devil-may-care waves and the annoyed set of his jaw only showed off his clean-shaven, rugged face. Wide shoulders strained against his sky-blue shirt as he rolled the tense muscles of his neck.

Then he pierced Frederica with a steel-blue gaze. “Why don’t you move along, Miss. We won’t be needing your help.”

His curt dismissal rankled her, so Frederica arched an eyebrow at him before turning around to search for the white horse. The beautiful beast had stopped at the entrance to her father’s driveway, where it munched on a huge clump of clover.

Frederica walked calmly down the road. Even though she had never known how to ride or tend to horses she loved all animals and had a calm way of interacting with them. She spoke sweetly to the escaped animal. “You had a little fun, darling, and you got a bit of sweet clover to eat. Now it’s time to be on your way. Don’t worry about that cowboy. I’ll walk with you.”

The horse tossed its white mane like a wave cresting in the San Francisco Bay, but it didn’t shy away from Frederica. She approached slowly and finally caught hold of the bridle. The horse snorted but accepted her hands and, after a few confident tugs, Frederica was able to walk the horse back down the road to the trailer.

If she was expecting a drop of gratitude, it dried up as soon as she saw the handsome cowboy again. He scowled as if she was pulling a bin of manure down the road.

“What fool goes handling a horse in flip-flops?” he asked in a sharp tone.

Frederica had forgotten all about her footwear when she left the house, and he was right to point out her toes were in danger of getting crushed, but she wasn’t about to take criticism from him. Deciding his good looks didn’t make up for such a sour disposition, Frederica ignored him completely and handed the beautiful horse over to Justin.

“Thanks, Freddie,” the young man whispered.

She laughed out loud. “No problem. If she hasn’t been named yet, I suggest you call her Clover.”

Justin’s boss snorted in derision, slapped his hat back on his head, and declared, “I’m driving from here on out.”

Justin nodded, hurriedly secured the horse back in the trailer, and then tried his boss’ patience by stopping to thank her one more time. “Thanks again, Freddie. I’m sorry things didn’t work out in San Fran, but I’m sure glad you’re home.”

“San Francisco, eh?” the cowboy spoke up. “Let me guess, you were gonna make your dreams come true in the big city, but it chewed you up and spit you out.”

“She’s got real talent, always did! That snobby old dance company made a big mistake cutting her from the roster.” Justin realized too late he was raising his voice at his boss. He gulped and ended with a mumbled, “Mr. Rolston, sir.”

Freddie arched her eyebrow at the cowboy again. “Rolston, eh? You must be one of the wayward sons back to try to fulfill your father’s will. Good luck. Your father was a good man, and I hear he tied your inheritance up tight so you all can’t be leaving the town of Isabel in the lurch.”

“Now you care about Isabel?” He tipped back his black hat and narrowed that steely gaze on her again. “Not sure this town needs any more young women with their minds faraway on silly dreams. But, you have a good day, ya hear.”

Justin shot her a pained look but scrambled to join his boss in the truck. They drove off as Freddie still stood in the middle of the road, reeling from his words. True, it was rude of her to mention his family drama, but he’d really hit her sore spot.

Was he right? Was her goal of joining a famous dance company just the silly fluff that small-town girls dreamed up before reality became clear? She’d accused him of not doing their hometown any good when she was exactly the same.

It was a long walk back to her father’s old pickup.

Freddie drove slowly to town and parked the old pickup on the end of Main Street, as far from the cafe as possible. The Bluebird hadn’t changed for decades and still boasted the same sunny bay window and famous buttermilk pancakes that had drawn in locals since it was established. Despite the fact she was desperate for a decent cup of coffee, Freddie couldn’t bear to go near the place.

Main Street itself hadn’t changed much either. She smiled at the even rows of old-fashioned street lamps, the striped awnings above shop windows, and overflow of goods that cluttered the sidewalks and kept the shopping at a leisurely pace. Fond memories filed down the entire street, all the way to the blue and gold front of the Bluebird Cafe.

Tears blurred her vision for a moment. The Bluebird had been their special ritual. Every Sunday afternoon, long after church service and the breakfast rush, Freddie’s mother would sneak her away from home for ice cream. They always sat in the front window and talked about the week ahead. Her mother was big on future plans, even as cancer stole their time together.

Freddie swiped her eyes and took a quick, cleansing breath. She knew exactly what her mother would say about her current state. “Brush yourself off, Baby Girl. There’s plenty of living still to do.”

Her mother would also remind her that it didn’t matter where she danced as long as she kept using the gifts God gave her.

“Gifts, plural,” Freddie said out loud, echoing a reprimand she’d heard from her mother too many times to count. Dance was just one of her talents, but Freddie had learned early on that dancers had to be single-minded in order to make it. What other abilities had she sacrificed in her attempt to secure her singular dream?

Freddie gritted her teeth and got out of the pickup. The truth was gifts didn’t pay the bills. She needed a job, then an apartment, and, once regular life was secure again, she could spend her leftover time sorting out her mess of dreams. There was only one thing to do now, so Freddie headed straight to the feed store.

The Tack and Feed was a bigger magnet for locals than the cafe, and Freddie recognized half a dozen people before she got past the front doors. Everyone needed something at the feed store: supplies for every domestic animal imaginable, seeds and garden equipment, plumbing parts and tools, homemade honey and preserves, and the best selection of boots south of San Antonio. Her cousin Alessa had even pushed for a section of American-made clothing and had brought new color to the wardrobes of everyone in Isabel.

That’s why Alessa was now the general manager and the best person in town to talk to about securing a job. She beamed when she saw Freddie and called out, “I knew you’d come in today!”

Freddie feigned a dark scowl. “I’ve a bone to pick with you, Cousin.”

Alessa slapped a hand across her heart. “I swear all I did was tell people you were coming home. Of course, they all went straight to your papa and asked him what happened in San Francisco and he had to tell the truth. That’s why everyone knows about the dance troupe; I didn’t spread that gossip.”

“I know, I know. Small town.” Freddie broke into a giggle, unable to hold a grudge against her cousin. The two women hugged.

“I’m so sorry things didn’t work out,” Alessa said.

Freddie forced a smile. “That doesn’t mean they won’t.”

“Now you’re sounding like your mama.” Alessa looped an arm through Freddie’s and walked her to the back of the big store. “Take your pick and we’ll make it happen.”

The Tack and Feed sold almost every modern convenience but still maintained an old-fashioned jobs board. The huge cork board hung on the back wall, barely visible under dozens of fliers and printed paragraphs advertising jobs around Isabel. There was everything from dog-grooming to custom furniture making.

Freddie had just started to scan when she heard the sniffles. Both women caught sight of the small boy, scrubbing his nose with the back of his hand. He was about six years old with sandy blond hair and a trembling chin. He was all alone and scuffing his shoes along the floor near the enormous shelves of uncut wood.

“You okay, Little Man?” Freddie called out to the boy.

“I’m not crying!” he told them sharply.

“Of course not.” Freddie sauntered towards him casually, acting as if she needed some pine boards. “Looking to build a book shelf?”

“No.” He gave the back shelves a confused look and sniffled.

“Well, then. You just tell me what you need and I’ll help you find it.” Freddie winked at the small boy and boasted, “I know the manager.”

He glared up at her, not ready to admit he was lost. “I want a saddle.”

“Sure thing, cowboy, but first we better get you a hat. Come on.” Freddie gently took the boy’s hand and led him to the hat display. The wall of cowboy hats was conveniently located next to the front register, the first place any panicked parent would go.

Alessa dodged over to make a PA announcement but was caught by a customer adamant that they get their chicken feed questions answered. Freddie stalled, showing the little boy a whole row of bright white Stetsons.

“My dad wears a black hat,” the boy sniffled.

Freddie smiled. “I’m sure we’ll find your dad. Then you can both go look at saddles.”

“He doesn’t want me to ride horses. He says I’m too little to play around at the ranch.”

Freddie scanned the store for the boy’s father and absently asked, “And what does your mama say?”

“She lives in Victoria. They got divorced. Now I have two houses.”

“Divorced is a big word, Little Man.” Freddie knelt down beside him. “You doing okay?”

His swimming blue eyes met hers. “No one asks me that.”

“And no one except me knows how good you look in this hat.” She dropped a ten-gallon cowboy hat down over his eyes and was relieved to hear the little boy giggle.

“Teddy!”

The boy knocked the hat back from his eyes and grinned. “That’s my dad.”

Freddie stood up and her breath stopped. The same grumpy cowboy who she’d caught berating Justin out on the country road was now bearing down on her like a bull. He shoved past Alessa’s chicken feed customer, and for a second, Freddie worried he was going to yell at her in the middle of The Tack and Feed.

“Teddy, I was so worried!”

He clearly wanted to scoop up and squeeze his child, and Freddie was surprised to see him pause and take a deep breath. The man had the energy of an angry steer, but he also had the gentle presence of mind not to embarrass his son. Instead, he lay one strong hand on the small boy’s shoulder and hung on for dear life.

Then his eyes met Freddie’s wide-eyed stare. “You,” he hissed.

“She’s a real nice lady,” Teddy told his dad. “She helped me.”

Alessa swooped in at that second and made the introductions. “Drake Rolston, I see you’ve met my cousin, Freddie Dover. Say, Drake here is looking for a nanny; Freddie is great with kids.”

“Clearly,” Drake muttered. Then he shook his head. “Thanks, Ms. Alessa, but we’ve already got a professional nanny secured for Teddy.”

He tipped his hat and steered his son out of the store with an iron hand. Freddie was finally able to breathe again. What was it about that man that upset her whole body?

Alessa snorted. “He’s talking about old Mrs. Schumacher. She nannied three of the Rolston boys, and I’m surprised she’s not half insane. Bet she retires within the week.”

“I’m not going to hold my breath,” Freddie said, hoping her cousin didn’t hear the breathlessness in her voice.

To her relief, all Alessa said was, “Back to the jobs board,” and Freddie was able to push Drake Rolston and his adorable son out of her mind for the rest of the morning.

CHAPTER 2

***DRAKE***

Teddy was pouting in the backseat, and nothing Drake said could convince him to cheer up. “I’m sure Mrs. Schumacher will take you to the park,” he said.

“I wanted to look at saddles,” Teddy whined. “I want to go with you to the ranch!”

“A working ranch is no place for children.” Drake turned onto their street before he realized he’d said the wrong thing. “You’ll have more fun at the park.”

Teddy scowled at him in the rear-view mirror, their faces so similar. “Mrs. Schumacher is no fun. She’s not nice like Freddie.”

Drake groaned. Was he going to be plagued by that woman all day? Sure, she seemed to have a soft touch with animals and children, but something about her put Drake on high alert. She must be trouble.

“We’re home,” he told his son tersely.

The two-story white Victorian had been in the Rolston family since the founding of Isabel, yet it had never felt like home. He’d grown up with his brothers on one of six Rolston ranches and was used to wide-open space. The Victorian sat on a corner lot and boasted four bedrooms, but it was still in town and felt cramped to Drake. He liked that the old house was pristine, perfectly restored from the peaks of the dormer windows to the railings of the wide front porch, and completely modernized inside, but he and Teddy had yet to settle in. Drake felt strange watching his son tramp up the front steps. Was this really where Teddy would grow up? Without a mother?

Drake scowled at himself in the spotless glass of the front door. His divorce still hurt only when he thought of his young son. He and Jane were never meant to be together; she made that much clear when she filed for divorce. Their breakup had been quick and undisputed only because Drake had tried to spare Teddy any additional pain. In the end, he realized the divorce was inevitable and not a surprise to anyone except their six-year-old. Now Teddy was the one that felt the loss the most.

He felt terrible leaving Teddy at the house. Drake could see his son’s stubborn face in the window as he backed the truck out of the driveway and headed to the ranch. The boy was so young, too young to feel the pain of divorce, and too little to navigate the dangers of a working horse ranch. Drake promised himself Mrs. Schumacher would cheer him up. He had made it clear she would take Teddy to the park, despite her protests.

The High Creek Horse Ranch was only twenty minutes outside of town, but Teddy’s face was still on Drake’s mind as he pulled under the arched gate. Normally the long-running white fences and wide paddocks soothed him, and Drake hated that the ranch was beginning to feel like a burden. He drove further, up to the wide ranch house that doubled as offices, and pulled to a stop in the circular driveway. What used to feel like home now just felt like work.  

It didn’t help to find his older brother, Theo, standing at the show paddock admiring the new horses. Theo waved and Drake scowled.

“Where’s my namesake?” Theo called as Drake jumped out of his truck.

“You know he was named after Jane’s grandfather,” Drake snapped.

Theo laughed. “And we all know I’m better than that old coot by a long shot. You should have brought Teddy along.”

“There are well over a thousand ways Teddy could get hurt out here. I can’t watch him, keep him safe, and work all at the same time.” Drake tried to dodge his brother, but Theo stopped right in front of him.

“You’re gonna have to take the bubble wrap off one of these days, Ducky.” Theo used his old nickname just to watch him seethe.

Drake clenched his fists. “You here for a reason?”

“Yup.” Theo nodded at a car pulling under the gate far down the drive. “I’m here to remind you that you can’t kill the family lawyer.”

The Rolston brothers watched the white-haired lawyer get out of his shiny black car. Mr. Penn seemed to drive all over Isabel and the surrounding counties without ever getting a speck of dust on his car. Despite the snow-white of his hair, everyone in Texas knew there wasn’t a sharper lawyer around. Not only was he a shark, but he was also their father’s long-time friend and the executor of his will.

“Gentlemen.” Mr. Penn said as he led the way into the High Creek Ranch house. He strode through the two-story foyer, into the hallway under the grand staircase, and marched into the boss’s office.

Drake didn’t have a choice but to let Mr. Penn take a seat at the desk; he still had trouble thinking of the office as his and not his father’s. He gritted his teeth. Not that he wanted this office anyway. The last thing he wanted was to be in charge of the horse ranch. Drake was forced to return in order to collect his inheritance. Once that was done, he and Teddy could find a real home somewhere without so many painful memories.

“As you know, there are certain stipulations in the will that must be fulfilled before you are eligible for your sizable inheritance.” Mr. Penn gave both Drake and Theo grave looks. “Despite any objections you may have, I suggest you follow the rather simple requirements and avoid incurring any of the consequences.”

“He means if we don’t do what he says, he can make all the Rolston money go away,” Theo told Drake with a hard set to his jaw. He and their eldest brother, Dean, had already heard what they had to do in order to inherit, and neither seemed happy.

Mr. Penn smiled, a disconcerting expression on the face of a shark. “Your father and I carefully considered dozens of charities that would benefit from his money were his wayward sons not to follow his last wishes.”

Drake fought the urge to groan and crossed his arms over his chest. “After the requirements are fulfilled, the ranch is mine to do with what I want?”

The lawyer popped open his briefcase, cleared his throat, and said, “Your father wishes you to reconcile with Sutton and, in light of that, he requires you to create a business partnership with your brother’s hospitality ranch. Once the partnership has been successful, as judged by myself, for the entirety of one year, then you will receive your full inheritance.”

“Until then, you’re on an allowance,” Theo added with a grim smirk. Obviously, he and Dean were under similar circumstances.

“Thank you, Mr. Penn. We’ll be in touch.”

The lawyer laughed, sensing how badly Drake wanted to add “when Hell freezes over.” He handed over the papers, watched Drake sign, and packed everything away.

At the office door, Mr. Penn stopped and sighed. He felt compelled to turn around and tell the men, “He wants you boys to stick together. That’s the only way you’ll truly succeed. He loved you all.”

Drake was glad that lawyer showed himself out because it took a few blinks to relieve his itchy eyes. The shark was right; Old Man Rolston loved his sons. Too bad that didn’t make living in Isabel any easier for the brothers.

“So, when are you and Sutton gonna hug it out?” Theo asked.

Drake balled his hands into fists. “That backstabbing, two-faced rat can rot before I go into business with him.”

Theo sighed. “I take it you heard he’s in Victoria for the weekend.”

“Attending my ex-wife’s big soirée, no doubt. Can you believe he took her side?”

“There weren’t really sides to take. It was a mutual breakup, remember?” Theo sat in one of the office chairs and put his feet on Drake’s desk. “And they were friends way before you smooched her at the high school summer festival.”

The last thing Drake wanted to do was rehash old times. He stomped around the desk and looked out the window. So what that Sutton and Jane had been nearly inseparable friends since elementary school? She was the one that had pursued Drake in high school, while Sutton had dated nearly every eligible girl from New Mexico to Louisiana. That didn’t excuse him from choosing a woman over his own flesh and blood.

Luckily, Drake’s cell phone rang and interrupted his raging thoughts. Unfortunately, he’d dropped it on the chair closest to Theo when they entered the office. He lunged across the big desk but his older brother picked it up first.

“Yes, yes, of course. We’ll be right there. Calm down, Mrs. Schumacher. We’re getting in the truck right now.” Theo’s eyes were overflowing with mirth as he hung up Drake’s call. “It seems my young namesake has caused your old nanny a bit of trouble and she wants us at the park ASAP.”

Drake pinched the bridge of his nose where a massive headache was taking hold. Could the day get any worse? It certainly didn’t help that Theo couldn’t stop laughing or that his older brother refused to go home. He jumped in the passenger side of Drake’s truck and chuckled all the way into Isabel.

“Ah, man! I remember when Mother hired Mrs. Schumacher. Topher had just been caught playing blackjack at school; he was in fourth grade, stealing everyone’s lunch money! You were never inside, always off on some horse trail, declaring you’d sleep under the stars. And Sutton was barely potty-trained. How old is that poor woman now?”

Apparently, Mrs. Schumacher was old enough to retire because that is exactly what she told Drake as soon as he met her on the sidewalk next to the park. Then she launched into a very agitated story about Teddy and some insects, half of which Drake couldn’t understand because she was so distraught. Finally, she threw her hands up in the air, declared she’d survived enough Rolston boys, and tottered off towards the Bluebird Cafe without a backward glance.

“Don’t worry, Ducky.” Theo laughed. “He and that spider she was talking about are still at the park somewhere.” The brothers split up to find Teddy, Theo heading to the play structure while Drake aimed towards the big shade trees behind the bandstand.

Halfway around the first big tree trunk, Drake spotted her. That woman, Freddie—was she everywhere? Not that it was terrible seeing her again. When he couldn’t look away immediately, Drake was forced to admit she really was attractive. He had thought that the first moment she’d walked down the road towards him. Dark honey hair, sprinkled with cinnamon highlights, waved freely down past her shoulders to the curve of her tight waist. She was still in flip-flops, shapely jeans, and a baby pink tank top that fit close enough to offset such an innocent color. He knew from their run-in at The Tack and Feed that her eyes were a deep brown, fringed with heavy black lashes.

She was gorgeous and obviously crazy, as Freddie was currently talking to a tree.

“Are you all right?” Drake asked.

Freddie glanced over at him and arched an eyebrow. “You,” she sighed.

He smirked. “Sorry to interrupt. You obviously prefer talking to trees.”

“This one happens to have a lot of charm.” Her pinch lips implied Drake was completely devoid of anything even resembling charm.

He wanted to laugh. More surprisingly, he wanted to soften those pinched lips. But Teddy was missing and he couldn’t be chatting with such a mess of a woman. If she wasn’t off in the big city thinking she could make one in a million odds work in her favor, she was lurking around in the feed store hitting up locals for jobs, or she was off in the park talking to herself amongst the trees. She definitely was trouble, and Drake didn’t need any more of that in his life.  

“You’re looking for Teddy, aren’t you?” Freddie asked. “Maybe you should ask this tree here if he’s seen your son.”

Obviously nuts, Drake thought. Still, he couldn’t help getting closer to Freddie. “Sure. Hey, Tree, this crazy lady’s no help. Have you seen my son?”

“Dad, it’s not nice to call people crazy.” Teddy peered down from a thick branch and gave his father a stern look. “And I’m not coming down until mean Mrs. Schumacher is gone. She almost killed the spider I gave her!”

“Oh, she’s gone all right.” Relief washed over Drake as he swung his son out of the tree. “And now we have to find you a new nanny.”

“Can it be Freddie? Please?” Teddy pointed to where the young woman was beating a quick path through the grass back to Main Street. She obviously had not taken kindly to Drake calling her crazy.

“There’s my namesake!” Theo joined them at that moment, took Teddy in his arms, and swung his nephew high in the air. “Come on, you two. We’re heading to Uncle Dean’s for dinner.”

“What?” Drake glanced at Freddie’s retreating back one more time, thinking this day really couldn’t get any worse.

CHAPTER 3

***FREDDIE***

“Thanks for meeting me here. We could have gone to The Bluebird.” Freddie patted the red vinyl stool next to her.

Alessa sat down with a smile. “Are you kidding? I love The Over Easy. Hi, Bill.” She grinned across the narrow counter at the white-aproned owner.

The diner was a tight squeeze, built to fit in an old alley between the tire store and the corner convenience store. It was also packed, being known in Isabel as the best greasy spoon for one hundred miles. Freddie and Alessa were lucky to have the corner counter seats closest to the small front windows, and they happily settled in and read the daily specials on the board above.

“All right, let’s see this resume.” Alessa tugged the paper out from under Freddie’s elbow.

“You’ve already decided?” Freddie tried to snatch her resume back.

Alessa held it out of her reach. “Of course! I worked hard late last night doing inventory at the store. I deserve biscuits and gravy.”

“I could help at the store, you know. That would make your life easier,” Freddie told her in a hopeful tone.

“And it would make your job search a lot easier.” Alessa smiled but shook her head. “Sorry. I’ve already got a great team.”

Freddie gave in and they both ordered the biscuits and gravy. Bill shouted their orders through the cut-out window to the kitchen, then poured them both fresh coffee. 

Freddie’s happy sigh over the caffeine boost turned to a groan. “Look at my resume! I don’t have any experience. If you don’t hire me, who will?”

“Yes, your resume is geared towards dance, but there are other things in here. You had a bunch of years teaching at summer camp. What about going into education?”

“Teaching dance.” Freddie added huge scoops of sugar to her coffee, hoping it would sweeten her outlook. 

“The kids loved you.” Alessa grinned. “Just like little Teddy Rolston loved you helping him out yesterday.”

Freddie followed her cousin’s gaze out the diner’s front windows and grimaced. Walking out of the auto parts store was Drake Rolston. His crisp white shirt showed off the golden tan of his skin, and Freddie caught sight of the same sunny gold in his blond hair before he slapped on his cowboy hat. 

She watched him jump into his truck and sighed. “Too bad his daddy didn’t seem appreciative.”

Alessa chuckled. “Maybe not like you’re appreciating him right now, but Drake’s a good man. You two would really get along.”

Freddie snorted. “I’m not checking him out, and I know for a fact we won’t get along.”

“Come on!” Alessa crowed. “No one in town would deny that’s an attractive man, not even Bill here. And you’re gonna tell me you won’t give him a second look?”

“I’ve had enough of his looks. I ran into him, well Teddy and then him, in the park yesterday. He called me crazy.” Freddie told her cousin the entire story of finding Teddy up a tree in the park. Alessa just laughed and waved it off, telling her again that Drake is a good man. 

Freddie was annoyed her cousin wouldn’t see her side. The truth was, Drake was too attractive and it was a lot safer to concentrate on his flaws than on his rugged good looks. “And did I tell you I caught him yelling at Justin?”

“Your neighbor?” Alessa shook her head. “God love that skinny kid, but I’ve yelled at him plenty for knocking things over in the store. Not everyone’s got grace or patience.”

“Yeah, well, too bad.” Freddie sighed again, thinking of little Teddy’s big blue eyes. “His son is too sweet. He deserves all the patience in the world.”

Their breakfasts arrived and Alessa eagerly picked up her fork. She took a huge bite, then noticed Freddie putting her napkin delicately in her lap. She swallowed and said, “You’ve got plenty of patience and you’re graceful.”

Freddie rolled her eyes. “Doesn’t count for much when you’re out of work. Come on, Alessa, I need a job. I told Papa I’d be out of his house by the time he gets back from this run.”

Alessa grabbed a napkin and wiped her mouth. “Well, I might have a job opportunity for you, but I don’t think you’ll like it.”

“Does it pay? Am I even remotely qualified?” Freddie saw her cousin nod. “Then I’ll take it.”

“Have you ever thought of being a nanny?” Alessa watched Freddie over the rim of her coffee cup as she took a long sip. As soon as she saw her eyebrow arch, Alessa reminded her, “You’ve got years of experience teaching kids at summer camp. Children love you. I think it could work.”

Freddie’s eyebrow arched higher. “Why do I feel like there’s a catch?”

Alessa shrugged, took another big bite, and finally had to give in and tell her cousin the truth. “Drake Rolston left a message at The Tack and Feed, looking for a nanny. Actually, he asked me for your number specifically. It seems little Teddy has taken a shine to you.”

Freddie tried to turn her attention to her delicious breakfast, but her stomach was doing funny flips. Being a nanny did seem like the perfect opportunity, but she worried her excitement was about something more. Drake asked for her number? 

She pushed her plate away. “He must have been joking.”

“Not at all. Bill, tell her what you heard about Mrs. Schumacher,” Alessa called down the counter.

The diner owner looked over his shoulder as he dried a glass. “She up and quit before the Rolston boy could give her a heart attack. Though, if you ask me, she was far past retirement and probably looking for any excuse.”

Alessa nudged Freddie’s elbow. “See? It’s a real job opportunity for someone young, patient, and graceful.”

“And crazy,” Freddie muttered. 

“Fine,” Alessa sighed. “I’ll call and tell Drake you’re not interested. I bet Teddy will be sad. Poor kid. He doesn’t see much of his real mother after she decided to work her way farther up the society ladder, but he’s a tough kid.”

“That’s not fair,” Freddie groaned. 

Thankfully, her cousin relented and they were able to enjoy the rest of their breakfast, but Alessa’s words stuck with Freddie the rest of the morning. She opened all the windows in her father’s old pickup and tried to clear her head on the drive home. It would have worked if her peaceful detour didn’t lead her past the High Creek Ranch.

Drake Rolston’s ranch. Despite Rolston Senior’s death, the horse ranch had never stopped being splendid. Not a single fence post was without a fresh coat of paint. The paddock grass was green—a minor miracle considering Isabel’s arid countryside. Freddie drove past slowly, seeing how sharply it contrasted with her own life.

The Rolstons were practically Isabel royalty, while she grew up in a ramshackle house where peeling paint was the only exterior design she’d ever known. The Rolstons were known to work hard, especially when Senior was still alive, but they were anything but blue-collar. Freddie felt like she’d smudge the ranch’s front gate just by looking at it.

Then she saw the white horse. Clover, as she liked to think the horse was now called, streamed by the fence like a flash of sunlight on a cloud. Freddie longed to pull over and pet the beautiful horse, but, again, she felt like she couldn’t even approach the fence. Even though she grew up in Isabel, surrounded by ranches, Freddie had never learned to ride a horse. Lessons, or even trail rides, were simply too expensive for her family to consider, and it was a stark reminder of how far her life was from Drake and Teddy’s world. 

Even if he wanted her as an employee only, Freddie worried she wouldn’t stack up. How could she offer Drake’s son anything of worth? If he needed to know how to stretch the monthly food bill by making leftovers into two more meals, she could help, but Freddie doubted Teddy needed to worry about things like that. She could show him how to make curtains out of hardware store drop cloths, but she wouldn’t be able to show any kind of skill the High Creek Ranch needed.

Freddie enjoyed being what her father called “scrappy.” The world needed resourceful people, but she realized she would have to find her next job somewhere else. So, why did she feel so disappointed?

She waved goodbye to the white horse and drove home to her father’s house. Freddie was just settling in on his saggy couch when the phone rang.

“How’s the job hunt, baby girl?” Fred’s connection sounded distant, but his voice was cheerful.

Freddie wished she could match her father’s mood. “I haven’t found anything yet.”

“You will. Don’t worry.” Her father tried to cheer her up with stories from the road and she soon found herself laughing over the confused cows that had caused a traffic jam in the middle of Georgia.

“I can’t believe that cousin of yours hasn’t found you something yet,” Fred said.

“She did, but it was kinda awkward.” Freddie slapped a hand over her mouth, annoyed by her own slip.

Her father wouldn’t let it go. “Awkward? Now that is something I’ve never heard associated with you. What’s the job?”

Freddie sighed. Her father would find out through small-town gossip soon enough, so she told him. “Drake Rolston is looking for a nanny.”

Her father guffawed. “Mrs. Schumacher finally went through on her threat to retire? Well, that sounds perfect for you. And I hear the youngest Rolston is a sweet child.”

“He is,” Freddie admitted cautiously.

“So, what’s the awkwardness?” Fred paused and then chuckled. “Unless you’re thinking you don’t want to work for a handsome man you could be dating instead?”

“Papa!” Freddie strangled the phone.

“Not that anyone in town would blame you. Plus, out of all the Rolstons, Drake has the best reputation where the ladies are concerned. Sounds like a gentleman from everything the gossip has to say.”

Freddie snorted. “You still manage to follow all the town gossip even when you’re on the road.”

“Especially now that my baby girl is there.” Fred sighed. “Job or no job, I’m glad you’re home.”

She was glad for the change of subject but felt the sting of pride. “Don’t worry. I’ll have everything sorted out before you get home.”

Freddie was sad when her father’s call got cut off, but she hung up  feeling lucky that her father hadn’t pushed her for a real reason why she didn’t want to take the Rolston nanny job. Normally her father kept her talking until the truth came popping out, but this time he’d left the subject alone. That’s why she assumed it was him calling back when the phone rang again.

“It has nothing to do with him being handsome,” she said as soon as she picked up the phone.

“Who?” Drake asked in his unmistakably gruff voice. He cleared his throat and asked, “Is this Freddie Dover?”

Freddie’s jaw dropped, but she managed to answer in a calm voice. “Yes, sorry about that. This is Freddie.”

“My name is Drake Rolston; I’m Teddy’s father. We, ah, met at the park yesterday?”

Freddie snorted at his formal tone. “Yes, I believe we’ve met a few times. One of which ended with you calling me crazy.”

Drake cleared his throat again, sharper this time. “From my point of view, you were talking to a tree. Does that seem sane to you?”

She clenched her teeth. Why did the man irritate her so easily? “Can I help you, Mr. Rolston?”

She heard Teddy whispering in the background and Drake sighed. “I apologize for calling you crazy.”

“Thank you for the apology call. I appreciate it.” Freddie found herself enjoying the awkwardness on the other end of the line.

“Wait! That wasn’t the reason for my call. I was wondering,” there was more whispering in the background. “We were wondering if you would consider a job as a nanny. It seems Mrs. Schumacher is ready to retire.”

Freddie laughed out loud before she could stifle it. “Sorry. I heard about Mrs. Schumacher.”

“Right. Yes. Word gets around fast.” Drake’s voice went gruff again. “That’s why I, we were hoping you could interview for the nanny position sometime this week.”

* * *

Freddie still couldn’t believe the phone call the next day when she stopped by The Tack and Feed to see Alessa. The gruff Texan,  whose shoulders she was sure could halt a train, had actually bent enough to apologize to her! More surprisingly, she had accepted the opportunity to interview for the nanny position.

“I knew you would say ‘yes.’ I’m telling you, this is a good match.” Alessa bustled around the counter and steered her cousin to the front door. “Let’s go shopping and get you something perfect to wear.”

“A good match? This is a job interview, not a blind date.” Freddie reluctantly followed Alessa, feeling like she was being duped somehow.

“‘Oh, I’m no matchmaker. I just think this is going to be good for you,” Alessa said. She led Freddie down Main Street to a little vintage clothing store.

Freddie was suspicious of her cousin’s airy smile but was soon distracted by all the fun possibilities the vintage store boasted. Isabel was a small town, but it seemed the women there had always loved fashion. Past the jean jackets and plaid shirts, there were enough fine-tailored black pants and classic dresses to please Coco Chanel herself. 

After digging through the racks, she let Alessa shove her into a dressing room. There, Freddie caught a glimpse of her own smile. Why was she smiling in anticipation of a job interview? No wonder Drake thought she was crazy.

Remembering the not-so-great impressions she had made on her potential boss, Freddie dismissed the low-cut sheath dress and the clingy silk blouse. In the end, she settled on a simple black pencil skirt and a light white sweater with three-quarter length sleeves. The tidy outfit was the perfect excuse to find new shoes, and Freddie let her cousin talk her into a pair of shiny nude heels the store owner had just had shipped in from Houston. She refused anything fancier than simple gold hoop earrings but let Alessa buy her a heart locket on a black silk cord. 

“You’re sure you’re not matchmaking?” Freddie asked, eyeing the heart necklace.

Alessa looked offended. “You needed a job and I helped find you a good opportunity. The rest is up to you.”

Freddie caught sight of a vintage pair of ballet shoes. “The new me,” she said.

Alessa squeezed her. “Be honest, when was the last time you thought about dancing?”

After a deep breath, Freddie tore her eyes off the ballet shoes. She slowly realized it had been days since she had last thought of dancing and her disastrous stay in San Francisco. Meeting Drake and Teddy had distracted her from that recent failure, and her cousin had pointed her in a bright new direction.

She smiled at Alessa. “You’re right. This is a good opportunity, and I’d be crazy to waste it.”

CHAPTER 4

***DRAKE***

Drake pulled into the driveway at the Victorian and took a long, slow breath. He could see the curtains fluttering on the second story, evidence that Teddy had witnessed his arrival and would come flying through the front door soon. He tried to work up a smile for his son, but it was hard. Here was another big change in Teddy’s life, and Drake was constantly worried all the instability would hurt the young boy.

First, Jane asked for a divorce. The split in their marriage wasn’t a big surprise, but Drake was shocked at how quickly she disengaged from Teddy. Somehow, the six-year old seemed to think it was perfectly natural for his mother to stay in one city while he went to live with his father back in Isabel. Teddy even seemed to understand that Jane was looking for the kind of life that wouldn’t involve them, and he was okay with that fact. Drake was not.

He couldn’t believe the woman he had chosen to be the mother of his child would turn away from her son so easily. It broke Drake’s heart, even as Teddy accepted it as one more change that had come to his young life.

Now, Mrs. Schumacher had quit. True, Teddy had never taken to the older woman, and it was mostly out of nostalgia that Drake had contacted her for the job. He liked the idea of someone familiar being around and had forgotten how stiff and unamused she had been all during his own childhood. Teddy was relieved that Mrs. Schumacher was gone, and Drake knew he’d be happier with someone else. 

He just wasn’t sure that person was Freddie Dover.

Again, just thinking her name brought a rush of energy over Drake. Nerves, distrust, curiosity, excitement? He couldn’t place the upset that the mere idea of Freddie washed over him. 

“Hi, Dad, aren’t you excited? What’s taking you so long? She’ll be here any minute!” Teddy’s smiling face popped up in the window of Drake’s truck. 

He couldn’t help but smile back. “Are you sure you need a nanny? You look like you got taller just today.”

Teddy grinned and stood up taller but shook his head. “You’re busy at the ranch and I’m at school but there’s time in between. I need someone to take me to the park, make me snacks, and read me stories.”

“You can read,” Drake pointed out. He let Teddy drag him up the front steps of their house. “And you never like the snacks I make and end up making your own.”

“See?” Teddy spun around on the front porch and jumped up and down to make his point. “We need Freddie because she’ll help you learn how to make better snacks.”

Drake frowned, worried his son was already too attached. “This is just an interview. Do you know what that is?”

“Uncle Theo says an interview is when you decide if someone is going to work for you, and they decide if they like you enough to let you be their boss.” Teddy tugged Drake through the front door. “I sure hope Freddie likes you enough. You weren’t that nice to her at the park.”

Drake stifled a groan. “You don’t listen to everything your uncle says, do you?”

“I have to,” Teddy grinned. “He’s my namesake.”

Drake rolled his eyes and shook off Teddy’s hand. “All right. That’s enough from you. You can go watch cartoons or something while I conduct the interview.”

Teddy ignored him and leaped for the front door. “She’s here!”

“That’s not...” Drake stopped and forced his bottom jaw back into place. For a minute, he thought his eyes were mistaken. Up the driveway came an elegantly-dressed young woman, gracefully striding along despite spindly heels. His gaze followed sleek legs up to a classy black skirt, a trim waist, and a white sweater that curved out in a way that made his eyes go wide. It wasn’t until he saw the dark honey-colored hair and pert lips that he realized it really was Freddie. She glanced up and he stopped breathing.

“Hi, Freddie! Come on in!” Teddy yelled.

Drake pulled himself together as she trotted lightly up the front stairs and across the porch.  “Hello, Teddy. Nice to see you again,” Freddie said with a breathless smile.

“Hello,” Drake said, his voice much too hoarse. 

“Mr. Rolston,” Freddie said.

Drake noticed she didn’t say it was nice to see him again, and he was annoyed that it bothered him. “Teddy, run along and do what I told you. I’ll let you know when the interview is over.”

“But I wanted to show Freddie my rock collection!” Teddy wailed.

“I love rocks. I keep the prettiest ones on the windowsill by the kitchen sink,” Freddie told the young boy.

Teddy gasped, delighted. “I keep mine on the windowsill in my room. Wanna see?”

Freddie glanced up at Drake, and he realized he must be frowning because she pursed her lips. “Sorry, Teddy. I’m here for a job interview.”

Drake ignored the glare his son gave him and led the way back to his office. He was relieved to move behind his desk and feel a sense of power returning. How could his son and a stranger make him feel like the third wheel?

“Did you bring a resume?” he asked.

Freddie handed him a few crisp sheets of paper and remained standing. Drake cursed himself as he heard Mrs. Schumacher’s etiquette lessons echoing in his head. He gestured for his guest to sit and offered her something to drink. Freddie turned down his offer primly and only sat after he slumped into his office chair. 

Drake pretended to look at her resume, but his gaze kept slipping to her bare knees just beyond his desk. Irritated with his straying attention, he griped to himself that he preferred Ms. Dover in casual clothes. Where were her snug jeans and form-fitting tank top? He cursed inwardly as he realized his attention was drifting even further from the interview.

“As you can see,” Freddie said in a formal tone, “I have childcare experience. Every summer between high school and college graduation, I worked as a counselor at a summer camp.”

“The children were older. Teddy is only six years old,” Drake said, too gruffly. He rifled through the other papers she had given him, only to find glowing recommendations from the director of the summer camp and a fellow counselor. 

Just as he was floundering for something else to say, the door flew open and Teddy bounded in. “I brought you down my favorite rock!”

Freddie took the lumpy black chunk with both hands and held it up reverently. “It’s still warm from the sun. Isn’t it great how black rocks can catch and keep the warmth of the sun?”

“So cool,” Teddy said. He looked up at Freddie and they both laughed over his word choice.

Drake didn’t get the joke. “Interrupting is not cool,” he said sternly.

Just then, Theo marched into the office. “Oh, hello! You must be Freddie, the new nanny.”

“I’m in the middle of an interview here,” Drake snapped.

Freddie glanced at him with an arched brow and then stood up to take Theo’s outstretched hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Theo, one of my older brothers,” Drake gave a curt introduction. “He and Teddy were just going to the kitchen to get a snack. Right?”

“We’re out of the granola bars I like,” Teddy said. He lifted his chin and gave his father a defiant look.

Freddie handed the boy back his rock and smiled. “I make my own granola with honey.”

“Something you learned while in San Francisco?” Drake asked.

Theo cleared his throat. “It was nice to meet you, Freddie. I hope to see more of you. C’mon, Teddy-boy. I’m sure we can find something good in that kitchen of yours.”

“Dad’s bad at making snacks,” Teddy grumbled as his uncle dragged him from the office.

Drake rubbed his temples and tried to stay focused on the interview. He decided to jump right to his biggest concern. “Do you intend to return to San Francisco any time soon?”

Freddie’s shoulders stiffened and she sat ramrod straight in the chair across from him. “Isabel is my hometown, my home, and I’m looking for a job here so I can stay.”

“So, no more big dreams about being a dancer?” Drake saw her chin go up and felt himself go on the defensive. “As I was saying, Teddy is only six years old, and I don’t need someone filling his head with silly dreams. Running a family business, a ranch, is serious business, and I’m looking for people who intend to take our lives just as seriously.”

“You don’t think I take life seriously?” Freddie caught herself and straightened her shoulders again. “As you can see, Mr. Rolston, I have the necessary experience and references. I am a hard worker and, if hired, I would dedicate myself to the job.”

Drake did not like feeling as if he had hurt her, but he pushed ahead. “Our previous nanny was dedicated to etiquette, routines, and lessons. Are you certain those are things you could handle as well as the fun stuff?”

“Geothermal energy,” Freddie said sharply. She caught herself again and took a deliberate breath. “That’s what it is called when a rock retains the heat from the sun. That’s the science lesson opportunity your son’s rock collection presented. Had you not dismissed our conversation so rudely, Teddy would have learned that terminology.”

“I’m still concerned you are the type of person who has one foot here at home and one foot running towards the big city,” Drake said. He laced his fingers together and laid them over her forgotten resume. “Am I really to believe you’ve given up your dreams of dancing and now want to be a nanny?”

“I want to help Teddy. He’s a wonderful kid who deserves more attention and patience—” Freddie cut herself off and took another breath.

“Go ahead and say it,” Drake barked.

“—than you seem capable of giving!” Freddie finished loudly.

The door burst open again and Teddy ran in. “Were you mean to her again?”

“Sorry, Drake, he’s a fast kid–” Theo skidded to a stop in the office door. He looked from his brother’s angry face to Freddie’s stiff chin and tried to extricate himself as quickly as possible. “C’mon, Teddy-boy. You gotta let the adults talk.”

“They weren’t talking; they were yelling,” Teddy yelled. “If he’s mean to her, she’ll get upset and she won’t come back!”

Freddie was up and out of her chair, kneeling beside Teddy before Drake could even blink. “Nonsense, young man. You really think a few loud words would scare me off?”

Teddy took a few heaving breaths and then managed a wobbly smile. “No.”

“Your papa was just worried that I only want this job for a short time. He’s trying to make sure you don’t get your feelings hurt.” Freddie soothed the young boy.

Teddy turned to his father. “She won’t leave. She likes it here.”

Sensing that Teddy was about to get upset again, Drake gave in. “Perhaps she’d like it more if you showed her your room.”

“Really? Yay!” Teddy grabbed her hand.

Before Drake could follow them, Theo stepped in his way. “So, the interview’s going well.”

“Why are you always here at the worst times,” Drake muttered.

“Seems like a good time,” Theo said.

“For what?”

“To point out that she’s perfect.” Theo grinned as Drake glowered at him. “My nephew loves her, she loves rocks, she makes her own granola, and she’s got childcare experience. Plus, she can put up with you.”

“He’s my son. I’ll decide.” Drake realized he sounded like a bratty child but pushed past his older brother in order to follow Teddy upstairs.

He found his son and Freddie sitting on the window seat, and she was holding at least five rocks while pointing out all the Isabel landmarks she could see. “That white square over there is the top of the lifeguard stand at the pool. They have swim lessons every morning all summer. And that red brick building is the best place to catch the ice cream truck in the late afternoons because the garage where it parks at night is right next door.”

“And that’s the park where you found me in the tree,” Teddy said.

“Did you know that a family of ducks visits that pond every spring? They should be here any day now,” Freddie told him.

Theo joined Drake in the hallway and watched the pair on the window seat. “Made your decision yet?”

Drake felt a burning in his chest. On the one hand, he was overjoyed to see his son so comfortable and happy. The move to the Victorian house had been rough, and Teddy still wasn’t sure about the town, but now he seemed excited. On the other hand, Drake felt the urge to get Freddie out of his house. She looked so pretty sitting there with sunlight in her honey hair. He watched her smile down at his son and it felt like he didn’t have enough room in his chest to breathe. What happened if she wasn’t always there and he had to explain to Teddy that another woman had chosen to move on instead of stay?

“Dad likes ducks, don’t you, Dad?” Teddy waved his dad over.

Drake cleared his throat. “Sorry, kiddo, it’s time to finish the interview.”

Theo pushed into his nephew’s room. “How about I show you the water tower where your uncle Topher got caught writing a girl’s name in spray paint?”

Drake fought the urge to roll his eyes and even tried to smile as Freddie joined him in the hallway. He tried to retain some scrap of formality and gave her a guided tour as they went back downstairs. “There are four bedrooms upstairs and two more on the main floor.”

“Lots of room for Teddy to play,” she said politely.

“Actually, we have too much room. There’s even an in-law suite. I’m thinking about renting that out as an apartment, but I’m not sure having strangers around would be good for Teddy.”

Freddie glanced in the doors that Drake indicated. Inside was a generous sitting room, a quaint arch that led to a small kitchen, and a short hallway to a bedroom and bathroom. Inside the kitchen, there was a banquette centered in the bay window directly below the window seat in Teddy’s room. From the outside of the house, it formed the signature tower on the corner of the old Victorian.

“Oh, I’d love to have a table like that in my apartment,” Freddie said wistfully.

“You’re renting a place? I thought you were staying with your father.”

She stiffened slightly but admitted, “I’m staying at my father’s temporarily while I look for an apartment. First, I need to find the right job.”

Drake stopped and faced her. “I can’t see any reason why you shouldn’t come and work for us. Teddy likes you, you’ve got great recommendations, you’ve got experience with kids, and you managed not to walk out in the middle of a terrible interview.”

She gave a soft laugh that lifted the weight in Drake’s chest. “I’m sorry I snapped at you.”

“I’ve been told I can be a little, ah, gruff,” Drake admitted. He decided then and there that he wanted Freddie to have the job. Knowing he hadn’t made a great impression, he tried to sweeten the deal as much as possible. “If you accept the nanny position, you can have the in-law suite as your private apartment. Rent free.”

“Really?” Freddie asked.

“REALLY?” Teddy echoed her from where he had been listening in on the stairs. “Say yes! Please say yes!”

Freddie smiled a soft, irresistible smile. “Yes.”

CHAPTER 5

***FREDDIE***

Anyone else in town would have started her employment with a simple handshake, but Drake made sure an official contract was written up. After an intimidating meeting with the Rolston family lawyer, Freddie wondered if she had made a mistake. It wasn’t until she opened the back door and saw the little ground-floor apartment again that Freddie was glad she’d taken the job.

To her right was an old-fashioned hall tree, painted a cheerful white. The bench had a cubby complete with a woven basket to store shoes, and the beautiful wood backing held a variety of shiny brass hooks. She tossed her sweatshirt onto a hook and surveyed her new home. The kitchen wasn’t much more than a short counter, a small gas range, and tall cabinets above. The sink stood in the corner under a porthole window and there was no dishwasher. Still, the charming bay window with its circular banquette and glossy wooden table made Freddie smile. The little kitchen was full of early evening sunshine, and she couldn’t wait to get cooking.

When she got back from her father’s pickup truck with the stack of boxes, Teddy was hovering on the backstep. He quickly opened the door and followed her inside. 

“Is that a cast-iron skillet?” He asked, clearly wanting to help her unpack.

Freddie grinned. “Best thing for cooking homemade pizza.”

“You know how to cook pizza?” His eyes went wide.

“Technically, you bake it.” Freddie opened another box and handed him her few mismatched plates to put on the counter. “I even make my own pizza dough.”

“My mother never cooked or baked or anything,” Teddy said. 

“And your father just brings home fast food.” Drake leaned against the back door and frowned. He had a bucket of fried chicken cradled in one hand and a grease-stained paper bag in the other. “Though I’ve never heard you complain.”

Freddie scrambled to her feet and wished she didn’t look like she’d been packing and moving boxes all day. She cringed at the ragtag collection of cookware she’d scrounged from her father’s house and hoped Drake wouldn’t notice.

“Who doesn’t like fried chicken?” she asked with a nervous laugh.

Teddy looked up at her. “Do you fry your own chicken too?”

Freddie hesitated, very aware of Drake’s clenched teeth, but finally answered him. “Actually, I bake that too.

“Can Freddie eat with us even though it’s fried?” Teddy asked his father.

Drake gave a stifled sigh before he said, “Your nanny doesn’t start work until tomorrow morning, and she’ll be taking her breaks during meals. You’re stuck with me, kid.”

Freddie spent the rest of the night unpacking and wondering if her new boss ever actually smiled. Teddy, on the other hand, was bright and full of big smiles, and he greeted her with an excited “hello” when she knocked on the front door the next morning. His father was sitting on the stairs, yanking on a pair of cowboy boots.

“I’ve left some cash on the kitchen counter. Teddy’s convinced me he needs granola for his afternoon snack, and since I don’t even know what that is, you’re in charge.” Drake stood up and turned to Teddy. “Happy now?”

The little boy launched himself into his father’s arms and Freddie had to admire how easily Drake caught him. His biceps flexed against his crisp blue shirt, and she felt an unexpected heat rush to her cheeks. She lowered her eyes only to find herself admiring the fit of his black jeans. Freddie noticed his eyes matched his shirt as she finally glanced up and caught his look.

“I’ll go shopping as soon as I drop him off at school,” she stammered.

Drake nodded, grabbed his hat, and left. As soon as the front door was shut, Teddy caught her hand and pulled her down the hall to the kitchen. The Victorian boasted a chef’s paradise at least three sizes bigger than her little kitchenette. Freddie looked around in a daze as Teddy climbed onto a tall stool at a huge kitchen island. 

He clattered a plastic horse across the gleaming marble. With the other hand, he spooned soggy cereal into his mouth. Freddie made a note to pick up muffin ingredients. She couldn’t imagine the sugary cereal lasted him until lunch.

Teddy chatted with her all the way to school, mostly about horses, and her ears were still ringing when she entered the grocery store. She bought a huge bag of rolled oats, maple syrup, honey, eggs, milk, flour, and a heaping basket of fresh fruit. Freddie worried about what Drake would say but ended up adding a loaf of bread and a jumbo jar of peanut butter to her purchase. Maybe he’d be happy if Teddy learned to make himself toast in the morning, and it would certainly fill the boy up better than one bowl of soggy cereal.

The walk home was pleasant, and Freddie noticed signs of spring all around Isabel. But, by the time she walked the three blocks back to the Victorian, her arms ached from lugging the groceries. She burst into the kitchen, desperate to put down her heavy load, and almost screamed when she saw Drake’s wide shoulders.

He was hunched over the kitchen sink, eating leftover chicken without so much as a napkin, and he didn’t look pleased to see her. “Grabbing a quick lunch,” he grumbled.

Freddie dropped the groceries on the kitchen island and blushed. Somehow the grease on Drake’s chin was making her mouth water, and she realized she’d forgotten to eat. That would explain why she felt so suddenly dizzy.

“I feed the boy, you know,” Drake snapped. He eyed the overflowing bags of groceries and then glared at her.

“Of course you do,” Freddie replied. She got busy unloading the bags. “It’s just part of my job as a nanny. Didn’t Mrs. Schumacher feed you boys growing up?”

Drake snorted. “Mrs. Schumacher was pretty good at bossing around our chef.”

Freddie paused, the bag of rolled oats clutched in her hands. Of course Drake had grown up with a chef; the Rolstons would have had a full staff. What must that have been like? Freddie had learned to cook at a young age, making meals for her and her father after her mother passed away. Preparing food was her first big step towards surviving her mother’s death, and it was now a huge comfort to her.

“Well, I’m not Mrs. Schumacher, and you’re a busy man. The least I can do is feed a growing boy.” Freddie put the food away quickly. Then she took a deep breath and forced herself to face her boss. 

Drake seemed to notice her blurry eyes because his normally gruff voice softened. “Then, if you don’t mind, we’ll add occasional cooking to your list of duties.”

“Done.” Freddie folded up the empty grocery bags. Then she tipped her chin up and met Drake’s steel-blue eyes. “In fact, I was planning on making lasagna tonight. It’ll be in the oven when you get home. Just take it out when the timer goes off.”

His stern nod worried her the rest of the day. Why else would Drake Rolston’s face be on her mind all afternoon?

She was still trying to convince herself she had not overstepped her bounds that evening when a quick rap on the interior door to her apartment startled her from her thoughts. Drake stood on his home side of the door with a grim look on his face. Freddie instantly worried something bad had happened.

“Is Teddy okay? Did I do something wrong? I tried to stick to the schedule you outlined for me.” She gulped and wrung her hands.

Surprised at her anxious outburst, Drake reached for her hands and squeezed them. “Teddy’s fine. It was a great first day. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Freddie struggled to catch her breath, too aware of his large, warm hands cradling hers. She enjoyed the sensation for a second more, then a frantic voice in her head reminded her this was her boss and she needed this job. “Can I help you?”

Drake dropped her hands and scrubbed at the back of his neck. For a moment, it seemed like he had forgotten why he knocked, then an insistent whisper came from down the hallway. 

“Would you like to join us for dinner?” Drake grimaced, then admitted, “Teddy won’t eat the lasagna you made without you.”

The next night, she was invited to eat leftovers with them. Then Drake declared the roast chicken she made big enough to serve an army, and she had to join them for dinner again. On Friday, she finally made the cast-iron pizza she promised Teddy was possible, and the new routine was set. Freddie arrived in their kitchen early enough to add to Teddy’s breakfast, took him to school, prepped snacks and evening meals, picked him up from school, had a short break, and joined the men for dinner. 

“So you really are busy and it sounds like it’s going well.” Alessa lounged against the counter in a back room of The Tack and Feed. Freddie had finally convinced her to put in large mirrors and make the unused space into a dance studio.

She sat on the floor stretching as she endured her cousin’s interrogation. “Yes, I think so. I mean, Drake’s not the easiest person to read—does that man ever really smile? But Teddy seems really happy.”

“If he’s not smiling over homemade meals, there is definitely something wrong with him,” Alessa said. 

Freddie shook her head. “He’s just stressed out about the horse ranch. Lots got neglected there when his father got sick. Plus, there’s the whole thing with his younger brother.”

“Well, at least you got Saturday off. We’re having brunch at The Over Easy when you’re done dancing, right?” Alessa asked. Then she noticed her cousin’s buzzing phone. “Or not. I think your boss is calling.”

Freddie jumped up and took the call. “Drake? Is everything okay? Oh, yeah, sure. I understand. I’m just at The Tack and Feed. I can be there in ten minutes.”

She hung up and quickly gathered her clothes and shoes. “There’s some kind of emergency at the ranch; a horse is giving birth but it’s not going right. He’s gotta get there and help with the foal, so he needs me to watch Teddy.”

Alessa smiled at Freddie’s over-eager speed. “I hope he’s paying you overtime.”

Freddie stopped short of running out the door and turned back to her cousin. “I’m so sorry about brunch. How about you come over tomorrow after church? I’m prepping meals for the week and I’m sure I’ll have extra spaghetti sauce to send home with you.”

“The kind you make with a bit of brown sugar? I’m in! See you tomorrow, cuz.”

Teddy was in the backyard when she arrived. Drake waved from his pickup and took off to his emergency, leaving the two of them in the quiet of the shady trees. The little boy had dozens of toys scattered around him, and Freddie joined him on the ground.

“This is the paddock and this is the meadow where they can graze.” Teddy pointed out imaginary fences he had made from sticks. “And I’m making them a creek right here.”

Freddie helped scrape out the creek bed and fill it with water from an outdoor spigot. The dusty ground absorbed it almost immediately, but Teddy was still delighted and galloped his plastic horses in and out of the mud. He then went on to build his horses a barn from cardboard he’d salvaged from the recycling bin. 

“Where are the riders?” Freddie asked casually.

Teddy shrugged. “I don’t know anything about riding horses, but I hear my dad talk and I know how to take care of them.”

Freddie made sure each plastic horse got a thorough bath in the sink after they finally went inside. Each one had a name and a personality. Teddy even knew the different breeds. He talked non-stop about horses all through dinner and clean-up. The little boy even told her facts about foals while he brushed his teeth.

Drake called right as Teddy was tucking his horses into bed for the night. Over the phone, he told his son how the foal was turned around but the vet helped and now both mama and baby were doing just fine. 

“Sorry for the late night,” Drake told Freddie.

“Luckily, I live close by.” She wondered if she heard a quiet laugh but couldn’t be sure because he sounded so tired.

He looked tired when he got home; there were shadows under his blue eyes and stubble on his chin. He’d abandoned his stained work shirt and stood in the kitchen in nothing but his white undershirt and dusty jeans. Freddie tried not to stare as he wolfed down leftovers and heard about his son’s day.

“Thanks for jumping in at the last minute. We owe you some time off,” he told her.

Freddie waved away the debt. “Can I ask you a question?”

Drake rolled his sore shoulders and nodded. “Sure.”

“How old were you when you learned to ride a horse?”

He must have been tired because the question brought a small, dreamy smile to his face. “I grew up around horses. My older brothers swear they had me riding before I was potty-trained.”

Freddie kept that smile in mind the whole week. The second she had shared that horse-riding fact with Teddy, his eyes had lit up. If his father had learned to ride that early, certainly it wasn’t too early for him to ask for lessons. They schemed about it together all week. Teddy even had a small speech prepared.

Then, on Friday night, he seemed to lose his courage. Freddie couldn’t blame him. Drake was in a particularly bad mood; one of the large shelters that created shade for the horses had collapsed and he had spent all day in the blazing sun trying to rebuild the structure. Freddie had the sense he just wanted to eat his dinner and put his feet up, but Teddy was squirming and anxious to ask about his dream of horse riding.

“Did you show your dad the cool set-up you made for your horses?” Freddie tried prompting the nervous young boy.

Teddy nodded and gulped. “He showed me how to make extra shade for the horses.”

“He knows so much about horses; I’m sure he’s learning a lot from you.”

Drake gave his son a tired smile. “You’ve got a good imagination. I wish taking care of real-life horses was just as fun.”

“I bet riding horses is fun,” Teddy squeaked out.

Frown lines formed between Drake’s eyebrows. “That’s not as easy as it looks either.”

“Freddie said you learned to ride a horse when you were younger than me.”

Drake shot her a look that had her holding her breath. He grumbled, “I didn’t have someone taking care of me; I was left on my own too much.”

Teddy, bolstered by the fact his father was still talking and not just glaring, plucked up his courage. “What if part of Freddie’s job was to take me to riding lessons? That way, I wouldn’t get in your way.”

He put down his fork with too much force. “Oh, so you two have it all planned out? You thought you’d just get permission afterward?”

Freddie could hardly breathe but she jumped in. “He has a real passion for horses. Riding lessons seems like the next logical step. And you happen to own a horse ranch.”

Now Drake glared at her. “That’s right. I own it. And Teddy is my son. That’s why he’s not going anywhere near the horses until he’s older. End of discussion.”

Teddy sunk down in his chair and stared at his plate. He looked so miserable, Freddie wanted to say more, but she was too upset. Drake had dismissed her so bluntly, putting her back in her place as nothing more than hired help, she couldn’t do anything more than get up and clear the dishes. From the kitchen, she heard Teddy declare he didn’t want dessert, then Drake’s heavy footsteps marching upstairs. 

How could Drake break his son’s heart over such a simple request? Freddie hoped it was just bad timing and determined to pursue the matter more another day. Still, it bothered her how upset Drake had been the instant the suggestion was made, and she didn’t sleep well that night, knowing her opinion meant nothing to him.

CHAPTER 6

***DRAKE***

Drake used to be jealous of his employee’s lunch. He would covertly watch Justin unpack a huge lunch prepared by his mother and feel his own stomach tighten as the young man devoured every crumb. Now he had his own home-packed lunches, generous leftover portions from Freddie’s delicious dinners. Except today it didn’t taste as good and only served to remind him of how they’d left the table in anger.

Justin was at a picnic table a few dozen yards from the front porch and Drake glowered at him from the shade by the door. He couldn’t eat with the same easy appetite, and every other thought was about heading home to the Victorian. There were easily a dozen excuses why he needed to head back over their lunch break, and Drake was quickly realizing he wouldn’t be able to concentrate on work until he’d given in to the urge to head home. 

“Hello? Freddie?” Drake called from the Victorian’s front door and again as he strode down the hallway to the kitchen. 

It was strange how quickly he had gotten used to finding her there in the middle of the day, just as it was strange how much he enjoyed their midday exchanges. Mostly they talked about Teddy or the upcoming evening meal, but those were the conversations he remembered at the end of the day and again in the morning. Drake looked forward to even the quickest back and forth with Freddie, and the way she always smiled no matter his mood.

That morning, though, she had been very quiet and her smile was as thin as a mirage on a hot Texas road. Drake paused in the empty kitchen and wished again that apologies came out easier. He hadn’t meant to be so short when rejecting Teddy’s request. Freddie had no way of knowing how the idea of his son near big, unpredictable animals made him feel. 

He shook his head and noticed the pile of new dishes stacked neatly in the drying rack. The big mixing bowl helped Drake remember where Freddie must have gone: the bake sale at Teddy’s school. He headed for the front door and was almost barreled over by the entrance of his eldest brother.

Dean cracked the barest of smiles at the unexpected greeting and forced his little brother to back up into the foyer. “Justin told me I could probably find you here. Glad to know you’re thinking of the old house as home finally.”

Drake ground his teeth at the intrusion and bit out, “I’d offer you some lunch, but I’m actually heading out the door.”

Dean blocked the door like the prize bulls he was famous for raising. “You know DeeDee is getting jealous that you don’t need her home cooking anymore.”

He softened at the thought of Dean’s long-time cook. DeeDee had been at the Double R Ranch for years, and he couldn’t remember a single holiday or simple family meal that she had not provided. “Tell her I’m only trying to give her a well-deserved break.”

Dean chuckled, “Tell her yourself when you bring my nephew and his new nanny by. Soon.” The last word was an order.

Drake stifled an irritated sigh. “I’m assuming you didn’t just barge in on DeeDee’s behalf. Let me guess; you’re gonna bother me about Sutton’s ranch. It’s not enough that I’m taking care of mine.”

His eldest brother narrowed his eyes and focused, as usual, on the family business. “I went by his place before chasing you down. Renovations are going well, the place might be ready for guests by midsummer, but there’s no partnership to speak of.”

“And it’s my problem the whelp won’t face me?” Drake stopped himself from scuffing his boot along the polished hardwood of his own foyer. 

“You can’t still be sore at him for helping your ex move back to Victoria.” Dean spoke as if his words were final. He was careful not to use her name, out of respect for his brother’s feelings, but, beyond that, his patience had run out. “Why can’t you think of it the way the rest of us do: Sutton helped out his oldest friend when her sister needed to move.”

Drake had to unclench his teeth to speak. “I’ve got nothing against Bethany. My problem is that Sutton’s trying to make his way into high society over in Victoria instead of working here in Isabel with his family.”

Dean closed his eyes and ran a work-roughened hand over his forehead. “Your problem is you have no idea what your brother has been doing because you decided to act as if he went over a cliff. Time to resurrect our youngest brother and get him back on the ranch.”

“His ranch,” Drake said, aware of how childish he sounded. “I’m not taking on the hotel renovations in his absence if that’s what you came here to ask.”

For a moment, it looked as if Dean could strangle his younger brother, but he sucked in a frustrated breath and said, “Sutton’s time in Victoria hasn’t been all tea parties and escorting debutantes. He found an architect to help rebuild the hotel, and an interior designer to make it worthwhile. Now he’s talking rebranding and all that marketing mumbo-jumbo, and that’s where you come in.”

“I’m not picking out curtains or looking over logos. I’ve got a real ranch to run.”

Dean took a menacing step forward. “So do I.”

The brothers had the exact same steel-blue eyes, but Drake looked away first. He may have had an inch or two in height over his brother, but Dean had a bull-like build, and years of wrangling cattle had hardened him all over. Plus, he shouldered the weight of the Rolston family now that their father had died, and Drake couldn’t look past all the sacrifices Dean had made for him and their brothers. He respected Dean even though he disliked how every word out of his mouth seemed like an order.

“You’ve got to look over Sutton’s plans and find a way for your two ranches to run a business together. If he’s not coming to your doorstep with ideas, then you better throw some his way before he finalizes the monograms on the pillows or whatever nonsense he’s doing now.”

Drake jumped on Dean’s words. “So you think he’s wasting time in Victoria too.”

“Trying to avoid you,” Dean said, clearly annoyed he’d let his opinion seem even vaguely similar to Drake’s.

“Speaking of avoiding people.” Drake nodded over Dean’s shoulder and they both watched Theo take the front porch steps two at a time.

The easy-going grin he wore every time he was pestering Drake disappeared as soon as he saw Dean. “Well, this looks like the worst time ever,” Theo said from the front door.

Drake almost settled in to watch his eldest brothers square off, but he realized his lunch break was overstretched and he still wanted to swing by Teddy’s school. A bake sale dessert was only slightly sweeter than seeing Theo rankled, so Drake gave in to temptation.

“This is a great time,” Drake called to Theo. “We’re just catching up on Rolston business. How are things at your ranch? When’s your portion of the inheritance coming through?”

Theo, taller than Dean by half a foot but younger by two years, slumped his shoulders and glanced behind, clearly wanting to escape out the way he came in. The screen door had already shut behind him, so he turned back to glare at Drake. Theo, the second-born Rolston, had darker blue eyes and darker brown hair, and his moods could be more thunderous, but he had a soft spot for Drake, who just smiled back at him. 

None of the four younger Rolston brothers knew what strings were attached to Dean and Theo’s inheritance and Drake was dying to know, so he asked again, “What kind of deal do you two need to make?”

“I’m here to discuss your business with Sutton,” Dean said in an iron voice.

“And make sure your orders are heard,” Theo countered.

Dean clenched one beefy fist. “You’re the only one hard of hearing.”

“My ears must not be working the best either because I haven’t heard one word about the requirements Father put on you two.” Drake was enjoying himself too much to leave now.

Theo drew himself up to full height and took a step towards Drake. Dean, squarely in his path, flexed his wide shoulders and made the narrow foyer of the Victorian feel like a cattle chute. Drake grinned over his shoulder and was tempted to taunt Theo more. Then the antique grandfather clock in the front parlor chimed once and ruined all his fun. He had to get back to the horse ranch, and his window for the bake sale was closing quickly.

“Well, as fun as this little family reunion has been, I’ve gotta get going,” he told Dean’s wide back.

Now both elder brothers glared at him. Dean decided to ignore Theo and again blocked Drake’s path out the front door. “Get Sutton home. Work it out,” he said.

“That’s an order,” Theo snapped, his good humor returning as he watched Drake squirm. Finally, he relented and led the way out the front door. “Come on, Bull, let’s give the kid room to work.”

“Call me that again and they’ll find your remains two springs from now,” Dean muttered. It was useless telling Theo to knock off the nicknames, even for the Rolston patriarch.

Drake followed his elder brothers out the front door of the Victorian and only paused when he saw the scattering of plastic horses all over the porch swing. “Teddy’s got to clean up after himself.”

Dean stopped. “How is my nephew?”

Drake caught himself wanting to tell them about Teddy’s request for riding lessons. As hard as they were, his brothers were the only ones who would understand his hesitation, but confiding in them would only eat up more bake sale time.

“He still asks for DeeDee’s fudge brownies almost every night,” Drake told Dean.

“Almost,” Theo threw in. “Sounds like the new nanny is quite a baker herself.”

Dean snorted. “Almost is nothing compared to DeeDee’s desserts.”

On that almost congenial note, the brothers went their separate ways. Drake jumped in his truck and made it to the elementary school before his work guilt got the better of him. The teachers had set up tables along the front sidewalk, and he spotted the section where his son would be, but the first person who caught his eye was Freddie.

She stood in the hot sun with a big smile on her face and patiently helped a knot of small children sort out the cash they had collected. Drake parked his truck and crossed the parking lot without letting her out of his sight.

“Mr. Rolston, how nice to see you! I hope you brought your appetite.” The principal snapped Drake’s attention back to the bake sale.

“Perfect place to grab a little dessert before I head back to work,” he told the principal.

Principal Davis followed Drake’s distracted eyeline and smiled. “Yes, that’s right, Freddie will be taking your son home today. She’s a gem! I’m so glad you shared her with us.”

Not sure what Principal Davis’s enigmatic smile meant, Drake turned gruff. “I knew she was baking something, not that she was spending the afternoon here.”

“Oh, it’s been so great having an extra pair of hands. Freddie has helped with everything from signage to treat-wrapping, kid-wrangling to cash-taking. The students just love her.”

“And Teddy’s not embarrassed to have his nanny at school?” Drake remembered the mortification that came along with every appearance Mrs. Schumacher made during his time in elementary school.

“Embarrassed? Heavens no!” Principal Davis seemed genuinely horrified. “In fact, Teddy has opened up a lot more since Freddie started working for you. Haven’t you noticed?”

Drake’s jaw set at the suggestion he had not noticed a change in his son’s behavior. “Speaking of my son, where is he?”

Teddy chose that moment to yell a greeting from down the sidewalk. “Dad! Over here!”

He said goodbye to the principal and joined his son, though he could not stop from looking around for Freddie. She’d moved a few tables down and was speaking with a burly man in a Polo shirt.  Drake tried to enjoy the rapid-fire information about chocolate chip cookies that Teddy was telling him, but something about the man bothered him. It didn’t help that he was standing so close to Freddie, and she reached out to slap him lightly on the arm. It seemed awfully flirty, and Drake stared at the pair more intently.

Then it dawned on him: Ben Summers. He graduated the same year as Drake, after enjoying a long reputation as Isabel’s most notorious Casanova. More than one Rolston brother had lost a potential love to Ben’s flirtation. Didn’t she know who he was? Or did she enjoy the idea of a man like Ben smiling and sniffing around her?

It didn’t help that she seemed to be enjoying the conversation. Drake saw her toss back that beautiful honey hair and laugh loudly. 

“Look, the fourth graders have trail mix,” Drake told Teddy. He forced his son farther down the sidewalk towards Freddie.

She must have sensed him coming because Freddie appeared to notice a plea for help from inside the cafeteria windows and disappeared into the school. 

Ben, still used to Drake’s surly expressions, greeted his long-time friend. “Drake, my man! It is so great to see you back in town. I know you’ve been busy—meanwhile, at the ranch, am I right?—but we’ve got to catch up.

“Sure,” Drake said, mostly interested in what his friend had said to make Freddie laugh.

Ben had always shown an ease and charm with women that Drake secretly admired. In high school, the only reason he had a girlfriend was that his ex had chosen him herself. Now that Drake had been single for too long, he felt a stab of jealousy that Ben was able to interact with Freddie so easily. Why couldn’t he make her smile and laugh like that?

“Seriously, man. How is single life treating you?” Ben asked.

It was irritating that his old friend could read him so well, and Drake’s scowl deepened. “Not all of us enjoy it as much as you do.”

Ben guffawed. “I did love dating around when we were in high school.”

“Dating,” Drake grumped. “Everyone keeps telling me I have to start, but it’s extra awkward in a small town.”

“Not with a little help from your friends.” Ben slapped him on the back. “How about you let me set you up on a blind date? Boy, do I have a great match for you.”

“Dad, you totally should. Uncle Theo says you’d be less grouchy if you went on some dates.” Teddy told him, then ran off to join his friends.

“I’m disowning your uncle,” Drake called after his son.

“Hilarious!” Ben grabbed the back of Drake's neck and shook him affectionately. “Now, say yes to a blind date or I'll have to put you in a headlock. Just like old times!”

Ben, completely missing his expression, greeted his long-time friend. “Drake, my man! It is so great to see you back in town. I know you’ve been busy—meanwhile, at the ranch, am I right?— but we’ve got to catch up.”

Ninety percent of Drake wanted Ben to try, but he realized he couldn’t get into a wrestling match in the middle of an elementary bake sale. Why was he so annoyed? Ben seemed genuinely glad to see him, and they had also had good times together in the past. It was just seeing Ben with Freddie that rankled him.

Or was it seeing her flirting with Ben that was so irritating?

Drake thought about her flitting around on the weekends, letting guys buy her drinks and take her to dinner. Guys like Ben. Fine, if that’s how she spent her time, then he could skip a family dinner now and then. The least he could do was let an old friend set him up on a blind date.

“How about next week?” Drake said. Ben slapped him a hard high five and the blind date was on.

CHAPTER 7

***FREDDIE***

After seeing Drake glaring across the elementary school lawn, Freddie was surprised to see his truck pull into the driveway of the Victorian. If a bunch of smiling kids and sweet treats hadn’t lightened his mood, then she figured he’d stay prickly forever. It didn’t matter that she had wanted to pull him aside at the bake sale and apologize for overstepping her bounds. Ben Summers had reminded her that some men are easygoing and a forgiving smile wasn’t too much to ask for.

She turned to Teddy, wishing the young boy would jiggle the front door key a little faster. “Looks like your dad is home early. I should head around back.”

“What about pizza for dinner?” Teddy squeaked.

“Don’t you think Freddie did enough baking today?” Drake came up the front steps behind them. He almost smiled as he held out a large flat box. “Besides, I brought home pizza.”

“See, you and your dad have dinner all planned.” Freddie tried to escape around the corner of the wraparound porch.

“Hold on,” Drake said gruffly.

Teddy finally got the finicky old lock undone and ran inside the house, leaving her alone with his father. “I hope it was okay that I volunteered at school,” she said.

“Everyone sure seemed glad you were there.” Drake’s mouth dropped down at the corners before he could stop himself.

“You seemed annoyed to see me there. Just tell me if I cross any boundaries. I understand I’m just the nanny.” Freddie watched his mouth, worried it would fall farther into a scowl.

Drake did scowl but his blue eyes seemed more exasperated than angry. He cleared his throat. “I don’t mean to be short with you. And I wasn’t annoyed with you volunteering at Teddy’s school.”

There seemed to be more that he wanted to say, but Teddy popped back out the door and asked, “she’s staying for pizza right?”

Freddie was relieved to find them all around the dining table again, as if nothing had ever happened. Teddy talked about the bake sale, his friends at school, and how he’d make a much better pizza once Freddie taught him how. There were no more awkward barricades about horse riding lessons, and the whole evening was comfortable and fun.

She didn’t realize how late it was until she slipped through the hallway door into her apartment and realized she’d missed a call from her father. She quickly kicked off her shoes and settled onto her bed to call him back.

Fred answered on the first ring. “How are things back home?”

Freddie was excited to tell him about her nanny job and the charming little apartment. She gushed for a few minutes before she took a breath.

“Well,” her father said. “That all sounds great. Seems like you and Drake Rolston, ah, work well together.”

She bit her lip, realizing how much she had spoken about family dinners and Drake himself. “I just want to make sure everything goes smoothly. He’s not the most cheerful man and he’s my boss.”

Fred chuckled. “He takes after the ranch hands that practically raised him. Cowboys are known for being an expressive bunch.”

Freddie wanted to ask her father more about Drake, but she knew she’d already shown way too much interest in her boss. Instead, she asked about Fred’s haul, what states he’d crossed and recrossed, and when he thought he’d be heading home. His job was so solitary, but her father always talked about the wonderful people he met.

“I’ve got to get out more,” Freddie admitted.

“Well, put that next on your to-do list. You got the job and the apartment, now go out and get yourself the social life you want.”

Freddie groaned. “You know I’ve never been good at dating.”

“And I thank you for that from the bottom of my overprotective fatherly heart,” her father told her. “Good night, Junior; talk to you soon.”

The next day was Saturday and, taking her father’s suggestion to heart, Freddie put reviving her social life at the top of her to-do list. Instead of lounging around her sunny apartment and drinking too much coffee, she headed straight to Main Street. The idea was to browse the bookstore, check in with Alessa, and find something fun to do on a Saturday night.

She only got as far as The Bluebird Cafe before she ran into someone she knew. Ben Summers barreled out of the cafe and stopped her on the sidewalk. His wife and kids waved from a table at the front windows and motioned for her to join them.

Freddie waved back but told Ben, “I don’t want to intrude on your family brunch. Tell everyone I said ‘hi.’ Teddy and I would love to join Cheryl and the kids at the park one of these days.”

“Sure thing, but I didn’t come running out here just to offer you brunch.” Ben puffed out his chest and grinned. “I’m something of a matchmaker these days, got most of my football buddies happily married, and I’ve found the perfect blind date for you.”

She shook her head. Ben charged into most things headfirst, and he didn’t even know what she was doing for work, much less if she was with anyone. “Who says I’m single?” she asked.

Ben scoffed. “Small town, come on. What do you say to a dinner date tonight? The road house isn’t too far a drive from your father’s place.”

Small town, but he still didn’t know she was living at the old Rolston house in town. Freddie kept shaking her head. “I don’t know, Ben.”

Cheryl joined them on the sidewalk, happily wrapping an arm around her husband’s expansive waistband. “He’s pressuring you, isn’t he? I told him not to push it too hard. That said, he did find you a real nice-looking fella.”

Freddie laughed. It was top of her to-do list after all. “Fine. I’ll let the town’s most unlikely matchmaker set me up on a blind date.”

Ben did an end-zone victory dance. “I’ll text you the details.”

Apprehension rose up in her chest. She turned to Cheryl. “Can’t you give me any hints besides the fact he’s a handsome guy?”

Ben’s wife shook her head. “It’s more fun this way. But, don’t worry, Benny really is good at picking out matches. He gave toasts at four weddings just last year.”

Freddie wasn’t comforted but the smiling couple was hard to resist. Plus, if she had a date lined up, then she could cross social life off her to-do list and head back to the Victorian. The thought of enjoying another quiet cup of coffee on the back steps was very appealing.

It seemed Drake had the same thought because, as she walked up the driveway, she spotted him on the front porch swing. He raised his mug at her and called out, “I just made a fresh pot. Want some?”

“Thanks. Don’t get up; I know where the coffee maker is.” She slipped inside, said hi to Teddy, who was engrossed in a loud cartoon, then rejoined Drake outside.

“You’re up early,” he observed.

Freddie sat in a rocking chair by the door. “It’s nice to be able to walk to Main Street.”

She didn’t mean to be secretive or avoid his casual question, but the thought of telling Drake she’d gone out to find a social life felt awkward. It was much nicer to enjoy the shady front porch and share a comfortable silence. Freddie thought of her father’s comment about cowboys not being talkative and smiled.

“I’m glad you’re happy here,” Drake said. His blue eyes met hers and he almost smiled. “Teddy and I like having you around.”

It felt like there was more to say, but her phone buzzed. She glanced down and saw the details about her blind date. Why wasn’t the thought of going on a date more appealing? In fact, she was starting to dread it.

She looked up, intending to ask Drake if he and Teddy had plans for dinner, but she found him glaring at her phone. Who did he think was texting her?

Just as he opened his mouth to comment, his own phone buzzed. He read the text message, glanced back at Freddie, then wrote a quick response. She tried to sip her coffee and pretend like she wasn’t curious, but the message seemed to have changed his mood.

Finally, Drake cleared his throat and asked, “Is there any chance you’re free to babysit Teddy tonight?”

“Got a date?” Freddie was mortified as soon as the words slipped out of her mouth. 

“I might.” Instead of the expected frown, Drake seemed to be enjoying her embarrassing response. “If I can find a babysitter.”

Freddie couldn’t concentrate. Her mind kept conjuring up images of Drake dressed to go out to dinner. Would he wear his cowboy hat? She could imagine him with golden hair brushed back, smiling softly at some lucky lady across a white linen tablecloth.

“Freddie?” He interrupted her thoughts with a growing smile. “Any chance you’ll let me go on a date tonight?”

Why did he phrase it that way? What did she have to do with whether he went on dates or not? Then, she remembered. “‘’Oh, yeah, you need a babysitter. Wait, I can’t. I’ve got plans.”

Drake’s smile disappeared. He stood up to head inside. “No problem.”

Freddie jumped up to block his way. “No, wait. I can cancel. You should totally go on a date.” Totally? Was she talking like a pre-teen now?

Theo pulled into the driveway and caught them squaring off on the porch. He seemed to consider turning around and then changed his mind and jumped out of his truck. “Hey, don’t mind me. I just need to borrow my nephew.”

“What?” Drake turned his frown on his brother.

Theo looked from Drake to Freddie and his eyebrows rose, but he stayed on task. “Dean is determined to make my life a living nightmare and has summoned me to the Double R for a ‘business dinner.’ I figure I bring the kid and, between him and DeeDee, both your older brothers will live to see another day.”

“Do I have to be there?” Drake asked.

“God, no. I need someone to help smooth the way, not make things worse.”

Freddie watched amusement and irritation skirmish across Drake’s features. Then, he gave her a long enigmatic look before saying, “Sounds like a good deal for everyone.”

Theo scoffed. “Except me. I still have to sit down at a table with that bull.”

He went inside to recruit an eager Teddy to his cause and left Freddie and Drake in an awkward pause. 

She inched around him. “Glad that worked out.”

He didn’t look convinced that it had but told her, “Hope you have a good night.”

Freddie could feel his eyes on her as she went around the corner of the house and headed to the door of her apartment. Her stomach was aflutter but she had no idea if she could call the feeling excitement. She was still dreading the blind date, but something about Drake’s eyes made her wonder if he felt the same about his night. It was too wild a hope to think he also preferred a quiet night at the Victorian. Drake was still young, single, and too good-looking to be spending all his time with his son and the nanny.

The nanny. She shoved open her apartment door and reminded herself that was all she was in Drake’s life. Inviting her to a cup of coffee on the front porch didn’t signify anything more than good manners. And family dinners were just a convenience; in fact, they were just dinners and Freddie had to stop thinking about the family part. 

The truth was she had been thinking about settling down and starting a family more and more. Maybe it was just the maternal nature of her job, but Freddie wanted a family of her own. She reminded herself of that fact as she opened her closet and considered what to wear for the evening. Family and marriage never came before a first date.

After sending nineteen possible outfit photos and having three phone conversations with Alessa, Freddie settled on what had to be the perfect blind date outfit. Her wardrobe was limited due to her recent move and she didn’t have time for Alessa to arrive with reinforcements. Plus, her cousin was miffed she hadn’t been consulted about the blind date. So, she paired her black pencil skirt with a tight black shirt that was shot-through with gold thread. Simple gold hoops and her hair up in a top knot, kept it casual but elegant. At the last minute, she swapped her black patent leather heels for a pair of black cowboy boots. She hadn’t worn them in forever, but the date was at the Road House, and Freddie couldn’t imagine wearing anything else.

As she drove out of town, Freddie was grateful her blind date had chosen a spot where she wasn’t likely to see someone she knew. More specifically, she was glad to be going to a place far from wherever Drake was headed. Nothing could ruin a date faster than having your boss present, she told herself. She forced herself not to wonder where he had gone or what kind of plans he liked for a Saturday night.

The Road House was nothing fancy and, truth be told, that’s what Freddie preferred. Spotless white tablecloths made her clumsy, quiet conversation made her nervous, and she never knew how to order from a fancy menu. She had to give Ben credit for guessing those things about her and picking the perfect venue. The Road House served basic but delicious bar food plus Texas-style BBQ. The tables were scarred wood, the floor was covered in peanut shells, and there was a live band every weekend. No need to sweat through awkward small talk when the music was lively and people were dancing.

Freddie finally felt a kick of excitement in her stomach; maybe her date would want to dance. With that hopeful thought in mind, she parked her father’s pickup truck and headed inside. There was already a crush of people at the bar, and Freddie was grateful she didn’t recognize anyone right away. Then she saw Drake.

It made sense that her cowboy boss would choose the Road House over a fancy restaurant, but even as her mind agreed it was logical, her body went crazy. Her hands felt numb, she dropped her keys, she stumbled as she stood up, and when she saw who caught her, the dizziness didn’t stop.

Shouldn’t he be berating her for acting silly, or at least scowling at her for making such a scene? Freddie stared at her grumpy boss in shock. He had an uncharacteristic look of concern on his face, and she pushed him back in total surprise. He was absolutely the last person she wanted to see and she’d embarrassed herself in front of him once again.

“Freddie? Hang on. I got you.” Drake wrapped one arm around her waist and used the other to part the crowd beside the bar. He found her a stool and carefully settled her on the seat. 

She looked around, hoping desperately that no one else had noticed her boss coming to her rescue. Luckily, it was a crowded night and no one was watching. Still, Freddie felt completely self-conscious as he hovered around her.

“I suppose you’re going to tell me my footwear is ridiculous,” she assumed.

He gave her a sideways look. “You disappeared and I thought the crowd might trample you.”

Where was the grouchy frown and why wasn’t he offering his opinion with sharp words? It was Freddie’s turn to frown. This was a totally different side of Drake and it had her off-balance.

“I dropped my keys,” Freddie said. She needed him gone so she could get her composure back. “I certainly didn’t mean to interrupt your date.”

Drake shrugged. “She’s not here yet.”

Why did Freddie feel her heart sink? So, he really was on a date. “You don’t have to babysit me. In fact, that’s my job working for you.”

“You look like you could use a glass of wine.” Drake signaled the bartender.

“I don’t really drink. Maybe just one.” Freddie needed to pull herself together. “Really, Drake, you don’t need to sit with me. Go enjoy your night.”

He shook his head. “Honestly, I’m no good at dating. Mind if I just sit with you until they call my table?”

Freddie concentrated on taking a sip of her red wine without spilling. It was next to impossible when her senses were overloaded. Drake smelled faintly of aftershave, his hair was brushed back and was just as soft and golden as she had imagined, and they were pressed so close by the crowd that she could feel the warmth radiating from his body. One sip and she gave up the wine; she needed her head clear so she remembered the name Ben had given for her blind date reservation.

“Goodman, table for two?” the hostess called over the growing crowd. “Goodman, table for two!”

Freddie hopped off her stool just as Drake said, “Well, that’s me.”

“That’s my date,” she countered.

Drake’s steel-blue eyes widened. “Ben Summers was talking you into a blind date?”

Her forehead crinkled in confusion. “When? At the bake sale? What did you think he was doing?”

“Goodman?” the hostess called out again, moving through the crowd with a pair of menus in her hand.

“I thought you two were...never mind. It looks like I’m your blind date,” Drake said.

“What?” Freddie stumbled back onto her stool. “You’re kidding.”

Drake cracked a smile. “Ben’s an old classmate of mine. He told me he had the perfect woman for me.”

“But I’m not.” It was impossible to keep the disappointment out of her voice; she just hoped he hadn’t heard it in the crowd of voices.

“Goodman? Going once!”

Drake flagged down the hostess. “That’s us.”

“No, Drake, you don’t need to take pity on me,” Freddie protested.

“I’m not,” he snapped. He took her arm and pulled her off the stool. “We’re both here. Why shouldn’t we eat?”

No harm in dinner, Freddie told herself. Plus, Drake’s arm was already around her waist and he was guiding her through the crowd. They followed the hostess to a table just off the dance floor, and Drake pulled her chair out for her.

“Want your glass of wine?” he asked.

“No, thanks, I’m fine.” Freddie already felt like her cheeks were on fire, and all alcohol did for her was make the blushing worse.

“I don’t drink either,” Drake said. “Never did anything good for me, then I had Teddy. Wait, no, you don’t want to talk about work. It’s Saturday.”

Freddie laughed. “Teddy’s not work! He’s such a good kid.”

“Yeah, I can’t believe he’s mine either.” Drake’s eyes sparkled when he really smiled.

Dinner was effortless, and it was surprising how many things they found to talk about. They were so engrossed in each other that the Road House crowd faded. Not even the rattle and crash of the band setting up interrupted them. Until a loud voice boomed across the dance floor.

“See, Drake? Told you I found the perfect woman for you!” Ben Summers hailed them from the bar side, with Cheryl beaming at his side. “Wait, we’ll join you!”

Freddie looked at Drake and laughed when she saw he was equally aghast. The last thing either of them wanted was for this to turn into a double date. Luckily, the waitress arrived at that moment.

“We’re heading to the game room,” Drake told her. “Can we pay at the bar later?”

No sooner than the waitress agreed, they both jumped up from the table. Laughing, Freddie took Drake’s hand and led him into the crowd. Everyone from the tables was getting up and heading to the dance floor to see the band while they swam upstream to escape their matchmaker. They hit a roadblock when another couple warned them the game room was closed due to a tray of drinks crashing on the floor.

“What do we do?” Freddie asked, looking up at Drake. They were pressed close in the back hallway as people filed past, heading to the now-thumping live music.

He looked down and brushed a few stray hairs off her face. “Want to dance?”

She nodded mesmerized by his softened features and his strong hand upon her face. This was a side of Drake she had never seen; this was a side of him she was falling in love with.

As they began to dance the crowd seemed to engulf them. They swayed to the music and Freddie told herself that it must have been the crowd that had pushed her into Drake because she ended up feeling her lips brush against his.

Was this an accident? A foolish whim that never should have happened? But there was no mistaking the feeling of his arms wrapping around her. Her fingers clutched his collar, and the kiss deepened, lasting far too long to be an oops. This kiss was meant to be.

Drake didn’t pull away either. Freddie felt him cradle her waist and coax her into a slow dance in the darkened hallway.

She pulled back enough to catch his look—no one was paying them any attention and, though it felt forbidden, they both leaned in and touched lips again.

Freddie’s mind spun joyfully, then raced into a full-on panic. Confused, she pulled away to stop the kiss.

Drake’s eyes met hers and all she was hoping is everything would be forgotten in the morning.

But she knew that would be impossible.

CHAPTER 8

***DRAKE***

Drake knew he should be worried. Kissing an employee was strictly off-limits and, to make matters worse, kissing the nanny was a complete cliche. In a small town like Isabel, it wouldn’t be long before everyone knew. The only problem was every time he started thinking about it, all he could think about was Freddie.

The relief he felt when he saw her face in that sea of people had swept over him like a tsunami. He had been dreading the blind date, and just seeing her had lifted his spirits. When they were at the bar, he savored the feeling that it was just the two of them against an ocean of uncertainty.

Then it turned out she was his blind date! He didn’t know whether to kill or congratulate Ben Summers. Apparently, the retired Casanova really did have a talent for matchmaking. Too bad he didn’t know about their work connection.

What if Freddie wasn’t his nanny and they had just met on that blind date?

Drake knew for certain he wouldn’t have let her disappear after that kiss. Not that he blamed her for escaping all the awkwardness that crashed over them the second their lips parted. Knowing it was wrong didn’t make letting her go any easier. He was glad she had the strength to slip away into the crowd.

The truth was, she was lucky she escaped because Ben had caught up to him minutes later. “Oh, man, I’m really patting myself on the back for this one! You two looked so great together. Cheryl says she can already hear wedding bells.”

Drake had struggled to break the news to Ben; he thought for a moment he could keep their boss/employee relationship out of the equation. He was shocked how strong his desire was for a second date. Seeing that Freddie really was gone, and realizing he’d see her in the morning, made Drake face the truth.

“Too bad she’s Teddy’s nanny. Congratulations, you’ve turned me into the worst divorced single father cliche.”

Ben had laughed it off. “Come on; no one is gonna think you’re a sad predator just looking for some smooching. This is a small town. You meet the right one wherever and however you can.”

Too bad Drake couldn’t shake the feeling that it was wrong. And, clearly, Freddie couldn’t either because she had yet to appear for her normal Sunday stroll to the coffee shop. He had to do something or things between them would stay awkward, so he enlisted Teddy’s help.

“Why don’t you run around the house and tell Freddie I’ve got a fresh pot of coffee. Maybe she wants to join us on the front porch.” Drake ignored the knots that twisted and tightened in his stomach.

“Just one cup,” Teddy called over his shoulder, “because she promised to take me to the park!”

Apparently, his son’s insistence that it was just a quick cup of coffee before they went to the park worked in Drake’s favor because Freddie appeared on the front porch moments later. It took him a minute to adjust as he kept seeing flashes of her from the night before: leaning into his arm as he helped her to the bar, smiling at him across the table, trying a bite of food from his plate, looking up at him in the darkened hallway seconds before they kissed.

He cleared his throat roughly. “Did Freddie tell you we had dinner together last night?”

Her eyes widened but she recovered quickly. “Can you believe Mr. Summers thought we should meet? It was funny he didn’t know I’m your nanny.”

Teddy’s curiosity was short-lived. He looked at his father, then Freddie, and shrugged. “You like eating dinner together.”

Drake heard her sigh of relief. If his son could shake it off as nothing special, then perhaps there was no gossip for the town. Still, it felt awkward sitting together on the front porch after having a first date. He had to change the subject.

“Uncle Theo’s picking me up soon; we’ve got work to do at my ranch. Is he going to give me a good report about your behavior last night?”

Teddy grinned. “He says I don’t have to tell you how many desserts I had.”

Everyone laughed at that so Teddy felt brave enough to ask, “can Freddie bring me to the ranch after the park? I’ll be really good! I just want to see some of the horses.”

Drake couldn’t bear the flicker of apprehension on Freddie’s face. Things were awkward enough as it was, so he bent to his son’s request. “Sure. You can stop by, but only to see the front paddock. I’m not going to have you wandering around where it could be dangerous.”

With that golden opportunity ahead of him, Teddy couldn’t sit still and he skipped down the sidewalk, calling to Freddie that it was time for the park. She put down her coffee stiffly but smiled. Then she took a deep breath and faced Drake.

“I’m sorry about last night. Can we just forget it? It will never happen again.”

Drake knew it was the proper thing to say but he was surprised how much those words clawed at his chest. How could he forget it? Could she? Maybe she had just been caught up in the moment and regretted it. He quickly agreed and, with a gruff wave, sent her off to join Teddy.

He tried to focus on the idea that Freddie could easily forget their kiss, but that just brought the moment back to his mind. True, it had been a long time since Drake had wrapped a woman in his arms, but there was something different about holding Freddie. She fit like no one he’d embraced before. And had her lips somehow tasted like wild honey?

Theo caught him daydreaming. “Well, you look like you had a good Saturday night.”

Drake rolled his eyes and refused to answer his brother. Instead, he got in Theo’s truck and grumbled, “Why exactly are you escorting me to my own ranch?”

Now it was Theo’s turn to refuse to talk. He fiddled with the radio, hummed along with a song he didn’t know, then tried to bring up the latest cattle prices. It was a long drive to the High Creek Ranch. It wasn’t until they had reached the white fences and long driveway that Theo relented.

“Sutton’s here,” he said and braced himself for Drake’s response.

“Traitor.”

Theo snorted. “Or maybe I’m just trying to help you out. It’s possible you and Sutton are the only brothers who will manage these ridiculous requirements and actually get your inheritance.”

Drake was going to concede. He knew Theo was trying to help him, and he was still focused on Freddie, then he saw her. “What is she doing here?”

Theo parked the car and sighed. No matter what he did, his youngest brothers seemed determined to be at odds. He opted to say nothing as Drake leaped out of the passenger side and strode across the driveway. Sutton stepped forward from where he had been slumping against the front door and blocked Drake from the woman on the porch swing.

“My office. Now,” Drake snarled as he shoved past his younger brother.

Sutton stomped after him. “You didn’t need to be rude. Bethany hasn’t done anything wrong.”

Drake whirled around and poked a finger into Sutton’s chest. “You brought my ex-wife’s sister to my ranch, and it never occurred to you it would bother me?”

“Why does it bother you?” Sutton leaned against the office door frame.

Drake paced around his desk and couldn’t sit down. Seeing Bethany reminded him of Jane, and that reminded him how she’d up and left. He knew the sisters were close and whatever Bethany’s impressions of his current life would be told to Jane in great detail. It was Jane who had decided Drake’s life wasn’t glamorous enough, and he didn’t like feeling that she would judge him all over again.

He couldn’t and wouldn’t explain any of that to his brother. Sutton had long sided with the Grant sisters. Bethany had been his best friend since elementary school, and Drake knew he valued that connection more than his own blood.

“The only thing that bothers me is you,” Drake snapped.

Bethany chose that moment to appear in the hallway behind Sutton. “Have you told him yet?”

Drake pressed a hand to his forehead and wearily asked, “Told me what?”

“Well, I was going to wait until after we’d had a nice little family reunion, but Bethany thinks it’s like a Band Aid and it’s best to just rip it off,” Sutton explained.

“I don’t want you to think I’m keeping anything from you.” Bethany slipped around Sutton and stood directly in front of Drake’s desk. “If I’m going to stay for a while and help Sutton out, then I need you to know there are no hard feelings.”

“No hard feelings?” Drake stared at her. 

She sighed patiently. “Your divorce was inevitable. You knew that, Drake. You got married too young and it just wasn’t meant to be.”

“What do you know about marriage?” Drake snapped.

Bethany bit her lip, then told him, “Jane is engaged.”

Drake looked blindly around the office, saw Sutton’s sympathetic expression, then stared out the window. “Well, she always was good at getting what she wanted.”

Jane had wanted him in high school when she deemed him the most handsome and eligible boyfriend that Isabel, Texas had to offer. They got married right after college. Then her father’s fortune had tripled and suddenly she realized she wanted a richer, more glamorous life. The Grant girls had always been debutantes, raised for the high society her whole family coveted, so it was no surprise to anyone when she left Drake for greener pastures.

Bethany was right. Drake had known he and Jane wouldn’t last. He just wished he had said no to her irresistible plans before Teddy came along. The one thing Drake could not forgive was how she left their son without a mother.

Knowing his son, Teddy would be too excited to see the horses and would make Freddie bring him to the ranch sooner rather than later. That thought, and the stifling looks of sympathy from his office occupants, drove Drake back down the hallway to the front of the ranch house. 

Luckily, he saw the beat-up truck Freddie drove snaking down the driveway. And Theo blocked Sutton and Bethany from following him out across the drive. Relieved to see him, Drake greeted Teddy and immediately took him to see the white horse in the front paddock.

“Hello, Clover,” Freddie called to the white horse.

Drake broke into a surprised smile, the memory of meeting her for the first time rushing back to his mind. Somehow, Freddie made him feel like he was back on solid ground. He took a deep breath and watched her and his son pat the horse’s muzzle. Teddy climbed the fence and talked gently to the skittish horse, who knickered back at him with gentle nods.

“Why are they watching you like you might explode?” Freddie glanced away from Teddy’s captivation and noticed his brothers.

“Uncle Sutton! Auntie Bethany!” Teddy waved them over energetically.

“Your younger brother?” Freddie tripped up when she looked at the young woman.

“My ex’s sister. Sutton’s oldest friend.” Drake explained.

He saw her eyes narrow slightly. “Seems a little disloyal.”

That simple comment lifted a huge weight off Drake’s chest. In four words, Freddie had noticed what his family ignored: as a divorced man, he found loyalty to be his biggest need. Just knowing that she understood made Drake able to turn around and face his brother again.

CHAPTER 9

***FREDDIE***

The return of Drake’s younger brother marked the return of his bad mood. In a way, it was a relief to deal with the grumpiness over the awkwardness. Freddie was even more grateful that his gruff attitude distracted from the shining moments they had. It was hard not to remember the way Drake had smiled when she called the white horse Clover; that memory and many more kept glittering on the surface of her mind like sunlight on a pond. Life as a Rolston employee was much easier when she concentrated on staying out of the radius of his bad mood.

Teddy noticed his father’s short fuse too, but he was too happy to see his Uncle Sutton again. Freddie couldn’t help but cringe a little every time the young boy mentioned Auntie Bethany, though everything she heard tempted her to like the woman. They were both careful not to let Drake overhear as the mention of his ex-wife’s sister added a dangerously raw edge to his surliness.

Luckily it was a busy week with Drake at the ranch overseeing barn repairs and Teddy working hard on a diorama for school. The few dinners they had together were short and the conversations focused mainly on the construction of the all-important diorama. Freddie had never heard so much about cardboard, glue sticks, or how to make trees out of pipe cleaners.

That’s why it was nice when the Saturday morning knock on her door turned out to be Alessa and not Teddy. Her cousin had coffee and donuts, and would not leave until she had heard all about Freddie’s date.

“I already told you it was with Drake. What else is there to say? It’s not like there will be a second date.” Freddie bit into an oversized chocolate old-fashioned.

Alessa gave her cousin a cheeky look. “You know that Ben Summers happens to be a good customer. He told me that you two looked quite happy and cozy during dinner. He still thinks he’s made the perfect match.”

“No way.” Freddie held up a hand to stop her cousin. “You know Drake and I will never happen. You wouldn’t date your boss; no one in town would think that’s okay.”

“My boss is seventy-four, has been married for longer than I’ve been alive, and has twelve grandchildren,” Alessa reminded her.

Freddie groaned. “You know what I mean!”

Alessa looked ready to keep the conversation on her dating Drake, but Freddie’s phone rang. “If that’s your boss, tell him I say hi!”

It turned out it was Drake, and he started the conversation with an apology. That had Freddie worried instantly. She listened for a minute then told him she would be right over. He hung up without saying goodbye.

“Looks like I get a little overtime pay this morning,” she told Alessa. “Turns out Teddy’s uncle brought him to the ranch, which made Drake mad, but now Theo can’t leave because Sutton is there too and Drake needs him to stay as mediator.”

Alessa sighed and slipped her shoes back on. “Rolston family drama. Tell that sweetheart Teddy that I got a new collection of horse toys he might want to see.”

Freddie headed to the High Creek Ranch, trying not to feel too good that Drake reached out to her when he needed help. She had to remind herself that she was just the nanny. Plus, she should be sad that he knew she didn’t have any big plans on a Saturday. Her life was much busier and exciting when she lived in San Francisco.

Thoughts of the life she had before returning home brought her buoyant feelings back to reality. Freddie was further weighed down when she pulled into the ranch drive and saw Bethany riding the beautiful white horse. The platinum blonde easily pulled the energetic horse to a stop by the paddock fence and she called out a greeting.

Freddie had no choice but to go and say hello. She made a point of greeting the horse first. “Hello, Clover.”

Bethany noticed Freddie’s reluctance to speak to her and sniffed. “Clover? That’s a bit plain for a horse of her caliber.”

Freddie’s spin stiffened. “Plain things can be beautiful.”

She turned and headed to the ranch house to find Teddy. In a few seconds, Freddie noticed the sleek, expensive style of Bethany’s clothes, her effortless elegance, and the cultured tones of her Texas accent. The Grant women were apparently very posh, and Freddie felt as plain as a weed next to a white rose. 

It didn’t help that Drake invited her in for a quick tour of the ranch house while Theo helped clean up Teddy’s mess. “He got into the wrong end of the barn, and I’ll spare you the details,” Drake said.

In order to avoid Sutton, Drake showed Freddie into the front parlor, and from there into the old ballroom. It was now a library, but the chandeliers still sparkled above them. Freddie had never seen more than one chandelier in a room and couldn’t believe this was where Drake had grown up. She forgot about his love for the outdoors and thought about his days spent in such pristine rooms.

She felt horribly out of place in her faded jeans and saggy sweater. Freddie had left her apartment in such a hurry, she hadn’t considered she was still wearing her comfortable Saturday morning clothes. 

“What’s the matter? Did I mess up your weekend plans?” he asked.

Freddie snorted rudely and spoke more to herself than him. “No. I didn’t have any plans. How sad is that?”

Drake tried to catch her arm. “I’m glad you’re here. Thanks for coming.”

They’d wandered into the cathedral-like chef’s kitchen, and Freddie avoided him as she looked at the gleaming marble countertops. Her father still had peeling linoleum counters and would probably make them last for another decade. Would Drake be horrified if he saw where she grew up?

“My brother is really getting to me, so I need my other brother to help me deal with him. How sad is that?” Drake tried to echo her words to draw her attention.

“You know, some people spend their whole lives wishing for a family, but they end up being an only child whose mother dies young,” Freddie snapped. “So maybe you should be happy you have brothers to deal with.”

“Freddie.” Drake grabbed her elbow and pulled her close to face him. “I forgot about your mother. I’m sorry. I know this stuff with my brothers is petty.”

She yanked away from him. “No, it’s the opposite of petty. All of this is worth billions. I’ll just find Teddy and get out of your way.”

She slipped out of the kitchen and was relieved to hear Teddy calling from the front foyer. They escaped to her father’s old, rusty pickup truck without running into anyone else, and Freddie was grateful to drive back to town. So grateful that she gave in to Teddy’s request for a milkshake and took him to The Over Easy.

The tiny greasy spoon was a welcome comfort after feeling so out of place. She and Teddy sat at the counter and giggled as they slurped the whipped cream off the top of their milkshakes. 

“So you got into the wrong end of the barn?” Freddie asked the little boy.

He giggled and explained, “That’s Dad’s nice way of saying I stepped in some horse doo-doo.”

“I’m surprised he let you anywhere near the horse barn,” Freddie said.

Teddy’s head hung a little lower for a moment. “He didn’t, but Uncle Theo did. We both got in trouble. But I got to see three brown horses and one black one!”

Freddie smiled. “I only got to see one pretty white one.”

“Clover.” Teddy nodded his approval. “Auntie Bethany offered to buy her but Dad won’t sell.”

For some reason, that relieved a tightness in Freddie’s chest. She loved seeing the white horse every time she came to the ranch. “Well, it seems like your auntie probably has other horses she can ride.”

At that moment, Teddy called out, “Auntie Bethany!” The platinum blonde had appeared in the narrow doorway of the little diner and beamed when she saw Freddie and her nephew.

Freddie braced herself to see a look of disgust on Bethany’s face, but the greasy spoon didn’t seem to phase her at all. In fact, she surprised Freddie by ordering a burger basket with extra onions. Then she plopped down on a stool and turned happily towards the pair.

“I’m so glad I ran into you two! We didn’t have a chance to talk properly at the ranch.” She smiled straight at Freddie.

Freddie swallowed a huge gulp of milkshake. The easygoing way Bethany fit in at the diner was thawing some of Freddie’s resentment, though she couldn’t resist saying, “We were just talking about Clover.”

“I wish I could ride like you,” Teddy said.

Bethany gazed down at him with obvious adoration that further melted Freddie’s heart. “I would love to teach you to ride. The fun way, not the way I was taught.”

The little boy’s eyes gleamed. “What’s the fun way?”

“Out in a field, on the trails, anywhere but a stuffy old riding ring with a stuffy old teacher.” Bethany glanced at Freddie. “No joke, she didn’t just use the riding crop on the horses. I can still hear her yelling ‘sit up straight! Heels down!’”

Freddie broke into a grin at Bethany’s exaggerated shudder. “I never learned to ride either, so both Teddy and I daydream about it every time we leave the ranch.”

Bethany, joyful that Freddie had opened up, reached over and squeezed her arm. “I could teach you both!”

Teddy bounced up and down on his stool. “Would you really, Auntie? Please?”

“I don’t know,” Freddie cautioned.

“Please?” Bethany echoed her nephew’s pleading tone. “I offered to come to Isabel and help Sutton with his hotel, but mostly I’m just trying to avoid Rolston family drama. It would be great to have something fun to do.”

Freddie thought about her Saturday morning with no real plans and almost couldn’t resist. Still, she thought it best to remind Teddy how his father felt about him riding. “Drake doesn’t think Teddy is old enough.”

Bethany nodded. “He’s lucky to have a father who wants him to stay safe, but I also know the perfect horse. Drake wouldn’t sell me Clover, but he did offer to let me have an older mare. She’s a pretty dappled gray with lots of patience and a steady gait.”

Teddy clapped his hands, but Freddie shook her head. “He’d catch us trying to ride at the ranch.”

“Not if I convinced Sutton to let me board the dappled gray over at the hotel. The barn there needs some repairs but it’ll work for one horse.” Bethany looked hopeful.

“What’s her name?” Teddy asked.

Bethany grinned. “Nova. Perfect for a pair of novices.”

Freddie felt worried so she tried to change the subject. “What about the Rolston drama. Have the brothers figured out their business partnership yet?”

“Actually, this whole horse riding lessons thing could be a big part of it once they decide to settle down and listen to me,” Bethany said. “I’ll tell you all about it this week while you learn to ride.”

Between Bethany’s easygoing charm, Teddy’s desperate excitement, and Freddie’s own intrigue about the partnership idea, she had no choice but to agree. The trio then celebrated with a round of French Fries they all ate from the same basket.

CHAPTER 10

***DRAKE***

“You’re going to keep a horse at the hotel?” Drake was already annoyed with Sutton and the brothers had been together for ten minutes.

Sutton gritted his teeth. “There’s a stable there, remember? Oh, yeah, that’s right. You haven’t been to my ranch since you graduated high school.”

“Please. You’re not one to talk. You’ve been there a total of twelve days and all that in the last few weeks.” Drake stabbed down the pitchfork he was holding. Lucky for his brother, he’d finished filling the last stall with fresh hay or he really would have been mad at the interruption.

High Creek Ranch was expanding and Drake was expecting a dozen new horses in the next few days. In reality, Sutton asking to take the older mare off his hands was a blessing, but there was no way he could let his brother know that.

“She specifically asked for Nova?” Drake asked.

Sutton rubbed the back of his neck, puzzled himself. “Bethany says she’s taken a liking to the old girl. I dunno. At least you aren’t still fighting over that white horse.”

Clover. Drake instantly thought of Freddie and his mood lifted slightly. “Can you actually keep a horse in that stable? There aren’t any holes in the roof?”

Sutton groaned. “I know the place is a little neglected, but it’s not falling apart. There are four perfectly decent stalls, and I’m sure the old girl will be comfortable. Come on, Drake, it’ll make Bethany happy. Maybe she’ll even stop thinking you hate her.”

Drake softened a little. He’d forgotten how dissimilar Bethany was to her sister. She was spontaneous, friendly, kind, and generous. He knew all that because it seemed his younger brother couldn’t stop talking about her.

She also knew a lot about marketing and hosting events and was volunteering her expertise to help Sutton get the hotel open again. 

“Fine. Nova is hers.” They shook hands. “Just make sure to tell Dean about this, then maybe he’ll get off my back.”

“I’ve avoided big brother this long; what makes you think I’m approaching him for a chat now?” Sutton held up both hands to ward off the idea.

Drake actually laughed. “Lucky brat. Between him and Theo, I’ve had someone checking in with me every day.”

The thought of his older brothers and their pressure about sorting out a new business partnership brought back his cloudy mood. Not only were the ranch expansions eating up his time, but his brothers’ meddling had kept him out late almost every night that week. He hadn’t been home for a family dinner in two days. That made him determined to get back to the Victorian as soon as possible.

“Do me a favor. Make sure the coast is clear?”

Sutton grinned like old times. “Sneaking off before Theo catches you?”

“He’s only hanging around here to avoid his own problems, namely Dean. I can’t take another night of him showing up with fried chicken and claiming he has a new idea for us.” Drake peeled off his gloves and changed out of his barn boots.

“Come on, Ducky. Don’t you love your big brother?” Sutton teased.

“Watch out, King Sut, or I’ll tell him you need help transporting Nova.” Drake threatened. Theo had a nickname for all his brothers, and he would be more than happy to spend his evening helping out either of them.

Drake was overjoyed to make it back to the Victorian with plenty of time to shower before dinner. He was only slightly disconcerted to find the place empty. Freddie and his son had been busy too, and he sensed they had a secret activity without him. He figured it was a tree fort or extra trips for milkshakes. Whatever it was, he wasn’t worried, only a little jealous.

That feeling evaporated when he walked into the kitchen twenty minutes later and they both cheered. “Dad, we’re making pizza in a cast-iron skillet. Wanna help?”

Soon he was grating cheese while Teddy ran back and forth, climbing a chair and grabbing the ingredients Freddie called for, then jumping down and running them to her. Drake watched the pair like a cold man staring at a fire; it was great to see his son so happy. And it didn’t hurt that Freddie looked adorable with flour on the end of her nose.

When he brushed it off for her, Drake was warmed by her blush. He took his time placing pepperoni where instructed because Freddie was next to him doing the same. Teddy also told them where to carefully place each mushroom and black olive. He seemed to be enjoying their closeness as much as Drake.

Freddie, on the other hand, smiled but kept her distance when she could. Drake much preferred the woman who had leaned across the table laughing when they had eaten at the Road House. He wondered if he would ever get the chance to have her to himself again.

Drake cleared his throat, conscious that he’d let his mind wander too far. “I’m sorry, what?” he asked.

“Do you want green peppers?” Freddie asked again.

Teddy said no, so Drake agreed, more concerned with what he did want and why she seemed so far out of his reach. The pizza was delicious, but Drake was distracted that night and didn’t notice how good it was until Bethany caught him wolfing it down in the ranch kitchen the next day.

“Pizza leftovers for lunch. Smart,” she said.

Drake swallowed, then told her proudly, “Homemade pizza. We made it last night. Well, mostly Teddy and Freddie.”

Bethany smiled widely. “They seem to make a great pair. And you seem happy you hired her.”

Remembering his sleepless, distracted night, Drake cleared his throat. “Yeah, having a nanny living in the back apartment is great. It’s actually given me time to go out. Did you know Ben Summers set me up on a blind date?”

“Haven’t heard of him. Town matchmaker, huh?” Bethany smiled; every small town had one. “So, how did it go?”

“What?” Drake asked, about to take another huge bite of pizza. “Oh, the date? It was good. Really good. I’m, ah, actually hoping to see her again.”

Part of him wanted to make sure his ex’s sister knew he was doing just fine. Part of him wanted to ask Bethany’s advice about Freddie. Was he losing his mind?

“Great! Bring her to the hotel.” Sutton sauntered into the room. “Bethany’s planned a whole dinner party for us Rolstons, plus DeeDee and whomever Theo’s bringing along. You need a date.”

Bethany rushed to assure him it would be all right. “I thought it would be a nice way to show everyone the progress that Sutton has made. We’ll dress up, enjoy the formal dining room, have a nice meal catered, and everyone can see the hotel.”

“Like a soft-opening before the grand opening, except smaller and mostly family,” Sutton said. 

“You’re serious?” Drake dropped his pizza slice. “I’m mean about the hotel. You really plan to reopen it?”

Sutton gave a disgusted sigh. “I wasn’t planning to drop my end of the inheritance requirements if that’s what you’re thinking. Like it or not, you’re going to be stuck with me in Isabel for the foreseeable future.”

The next morning, Dean called to assure Drake his attendance at the dinner party was mandatory. “And I’m glad to hear you are bringing a date. When I told DeeDee it was a catered meal and she wouldn’t be able to hide out in the kitchen, she demanded there be other women there.”

“I’m only doing it for DeeDee,” Drake said. 

He didn’t bother to tell his brother the date was completely made up. He just figured he’d arrive with an excuse for her absence, and perhaps a bunch of DeeDee’s favorite flowers. That woman deserved overflowing bouquets every day for how she put up with the eldest Rolston brother.

Drake even conceded to the dress code and dug a suit out of the back of his closet. It was as he was picking out a tie that he realized he hadn’t told Freddie about the night. 

He found her helping Teddy pack his backpack for school and told her, “It’s no big deal; I’m sure they expect Teddy to come. You’ll have the night to yourself.”

“Uncle Theo invited Freddie,” his son informed him as he shoved a book into his bag.

“What?” Drake said much louder than he intended. “Theo?”

“Not as a date,” Freddie rushed to assure him. “He just thought it would be nice for me to come. You know, in case a six-year-old doesn’t want to sit and listen to boring old adult talk.”

Teddy giggled and ran off to find his shoes. Drake crossed his arms. “I wish I didn’t have to sit through it and listen to boring old adult talk either.”

“At least you’ll have a date,” Freddie said.

Was she upset? Drake found himself hoping he’d heard a note of jealousy, then he remembered he’d made up his date entirely. Not quite able to admit he’d lied, he tried to change the subject.

“It’s formal attire. Does Teddy have such a thing? Do you?” Drake floundered. “I mean, I owe you overtime pay anyway, in case you need to go dress shopping.”

Freddie arched an eyebrow at him and asked pointedly, “Are you dropping Teddy off at school or should I?”

Drake felt doubly stupid for the dress comment when he saw the note from Freddie later that afternoon: Pressed your tie for you. Theo’s driving us over. See you there. Not only did she think he was bringing a date that didn’t exist, but he’d implied she didn’t have nice enough clothes to attend a formal dinner party with his family. He wanted to strangle himself with that tie.

He sped to the hotel and found himself striding up the front steps, only vaguely aware of how nice the facade looked. Sutton had power washed the stone walls and all the trim around the windows had new, fresh paint. The entryway chandelier had been cleaned thoroughly, and Drake blinked under the bright crystal light.

Then he saw Freddie. She wore a floor-length dress of sparkling black that easily outshone the chandelier. Though formal, it was form-fitting with thin cord straps and a neckline that made him dizzy. She looked as if she could address royalty. Instead, she was chatting happily with Theo.

“Brother,” Drake said as he interrupted the pair.

“Where’s your date, Ducky?” Theo asked, clearly already enjoying his brother’s discomfort.

Bethany appeared. “Oh, no. Did she cancel?”

Before Drake could say anything, Bethany turned to Theo and asked, “so, is Ben Summers really a good matchmaker?”

Theo almost spit his drink on the new carpet. “Drake told you he was bringing his blind date for a second date tonight?”

Drake grabbed his arm and growled, “can I see you in the other room, Theo?”

His older brother ignored him and laughed. “Summers set Drake up with Freddie here. Awfully awkward to find yourself on a date with your boss, but Freddie here made the best of it.”

“You didn’t have a date for tonight?” Freddie asked Drake, ignoring the others.

He wondered briefly if she looked relieved, but his embarrassment led to a bad mood that overtook his thoughts. “Isn’t Sutton supposed to give us a tour or something? I came here to see if there’s anything worth investing in.”

Sutton appeared, trailed by Dean, and for a moment, he looked happy to see Drake. Then he noticed his stormy expression. “Great to see you in a fine mood. I guess you haven’t noticed all the hard work I’ve put in around here.”

“You mean all the hard work your contractors did while you were still having cocktails and tee-times over in Victoria,” Drake said.

“Good lord, we haven’t even had a single canapé and they’re already at it.” DeeDee appeared in the doorway and shook her head. “I’m sorry, Bethany. I swear these boys have manners somewhere. Perhaps they should go find them.”

She swept Bethany and Freddie into the second parlor and Drake watched her go, hoping she wouldn’t remember he’d lied about having a date. Had she been upset by the idea that he’d found someone else? Or did she pity him for pretending they could have a second date? Either way, his thoughts simmered in upset all the way until they were seated at dinner.

Thankfully, Freddie was seated next to him, and Theo was at the other end of the table. Teddy sat like a king between DeeDee and Bethany, and Dean took up the head of the table. Sutton sat at the foot and continued to try to point out all the hard work he had done. Everyone ignored him.

They were too busy listening to Bethany talk about the possibility of a riding school at the hotel. “Not only could there be trail rides and lessons, but week-long camps.”

Dean nodded. “That would bring in solid reservations.”

“And Drake could provide us with the right horses. Did he tell you he already gave us our first horse?” Bethany tried to include him in the conversation.

“I don’t see how riding school does anything except add more work to running the hotel,” Drake said.

Sutton sat up straighter, insulted. “It would provide more jobs for the town.”

Freddie’s soft voice broke through Drake’s sullen thoughts. “It would also provide opportunities for people in town. People like me who never had a chance to learn how to ride. I know half-a-dozen of Teddy’s classmates who would love the chance to learn how to ride a horse.”

Drake was warming to the idea when Theo spoke up. “You could even offer horse rides to couples. Bet it would make a great second date.”

Bethany jumped up, needing to check something in the kitchen. Sutton tossed down his fork, certain the night was a total failure. Dean scowled at everyone. And DeeDee kicked Theo under the table. Only Teddy didn’t seem to mind. He just ate his dinner happily and nodded.

“Bet horse riding would make a great birthday party too.”

“Theo, your birthday’s next month; what do you think?” Freddie asked innocently. She arched an eyebrow at Drake’s older brother.

Dean spluttered and Sutton guffawed. Theo waggled a finger at Freddie but grinned from ear to ear. Drake’s bad mood broke completely and he laughed along with everyone else.

CHAPTER 11

***FREDDIE***

Freddie’s heart was singing as she drove Teddy to his secret riding lesson. After dinner at the hotel, the week had started with fresh inspiration. Drake seemed open to the idea of the riding school, and there was real hope the youngest Rolston brothers would figure out a business partnership. In fact, Drake had recruited Sutton to help on the horse ranch and that was why mid-week there was time for Teddy to work on his horse-riding skills.

Bethany waved to them from the far corner of the hotel. The old stable was a lot fancier than the barns on Drake’s ranch, but the inside was quickly becoming familiar. Teddy headed straight to Nova’s stall and offered her a fresh apple.

“Sutton is helping Drake settle the newest horses,” Bethany told Freddie. She had promised not to tell her best friend about the riding lessons. Luckily the men seemed busy trying to outdo each other in terms of hard work.

“I bet they’re competing to see which one can handle the wildest horse,” Freddie said.

Bethany laughed. “Every night, Sutton complains of how sore he is. You’d think he wasn’t raised on a ranch!”

The women grinned at each other. Ever since dinner, it seemed like the brothers could actually get along and, while that didn’t make it any easier to hide the riding lessons, it made it seem more likely they’d be forgiven.

“Can I start brushing Nova?” Teddy asked.

Freddie stepped forward. “Remember what Bethany said? You shouldn’t get into the stall with Nova. She could press you against the walls and you would get hurt.”

Teddy frowned, insulted to be reminded of his small size, but he allowed Bethany to bring Nova out of the stall and tie her at the grooming hitch. Once she was out, Teddy was cautious around the large animal, and he mostly stood back and chatted while Bethany brushed her. Freddie was glad her young charge was respectful of the horse. She still worried that Teddy would get hurt and she would never be able to explain that to his overprotective father. 

Bethany kept him involved even as he kept a safe distance. “Can you go get her bridle, please?”

Teddy ran off with a smile, glad to be helping, and Freddie had to admit she was softening towards Bethany. At first, she was put off by Bethany’s perfect poise, but more and more, she was seeing the tomboy side of her new friend.

“My sister always hated brushing horses,” Bethany said. She shook her head. “Jane would start complaining the minute a horse hair touched her black jodhpurs.”

Freddie smiled. “I have about ten lint brushes in the truck so Drake doesn’t spot any on Teddy.”

She was glad they were able to talk about Drake’s ex. The more she heard about Jane, the more she was glad they had divorced. It seemed like Teddy’s mother was only interested in herself. Luckily, Bethany was the complete opposite. She adored her nephew and spent most of her time keeping Sutton focused. Now that she and Freddie had spent more time together, she had opened up. Freddie found her to be generous and kind.

Bethany was also curious about her and Drake. “How are things at the Victorian?”

Freddie felt her smile change, and she blushed. “It’s been a busy week. Drake keeps complaining about missing dinner with us, but he and Sutton really seem to be working well together.”

“Thanks to you,” Bethany said. She finished brushing Nova. “You seem to be able to get through to Drake and change his moods. That helped a lot at the hotel.”

“Keeping the peace is just part of my job,” Freddie joked. She cautioned Teddy to slow down as he ran back with the bridle.

Bethany sent her energetic helper to get Nova’s saddle pad next. “Speaking of jobs, you’ve never told me about dancing in San Francisco. You must have talent to get that far.”

Freddie helped put away the grooming tools. “I was pretty proud of myself for landing a spot in that dance troupe. It was a great opportunity. Unfortunately, I didn’t make the cut.”

“Hardly anyone does.” Bethany sympathized. “Dream careers like that take a lot of courage. Any plans to try again?”

Freddie shrugged. “I haven’t thought about it. I mean, there’s a difference between dreams and reality. It would be nice to be able to plan for the future and not have it hinge on so many slim statistics.”

“And dreams have a way of changing,” Bethany said.

She was right. As she watched Bethany saddle the horse and Teddy jump up and down with excitement, Freddie realized she hadn’t thought about dancing in days. She kept it up as a workout out of habit, but the chest-squeezing stress of wondering if she’d make it onto the stage had not haunted her lately. 

“Other people have a way of shaping dreams too.” Freddie said. Bethany caught her eye and nodded.

Once they had Nova hooked up to the walking machine in the back paddock, and Teddy was safely in the saddle, Bethany continued that thought. “Dreams definitely change when you come across someone you love.”

Freddie could see her new friend was thinking about someone specific, but they weren’t close enough for confessions. Yet. “I think sometimes people can become dreams themselves. How are we supposed to find a balance?”

Bethany laughed. “It’s all a balancing act, isn’t it? Though maybe I’m a little luckier than you.”

Freddie snorted. “I doubt that!”

“Really! You have talent and a dream you’ve been chasing. I have no idea what I want to do with my life.” Bethany’s pretty mouth formed a frown. “All I know is that I’m not going for some trophy marriage.”

She was talking about her sister again, and Freddie shook her head. “I can’t imagine planning my future that way.”

In fact, her chest burned just thinking about the wonderful things that Drake’s ex had tossed away. Freddie couldn’t imagine a future without Drake or his son. A family like that was worth more than any status. 

“You’re doing great, Teddy! Look at how good you’re sitting in that saddle!” Bethany beamed as Nova trotted by.

“Look at how you’re holding the reins. Like a pro!” Freddie told him.

Teddy had come a long way in the last two weeks. At first, Bethany had walked him around the ring while Freddie kept her hands around the saddle to steady him. Now he looked comfortable sitting in the saddle on his own. Soon, Bethany had promised to take him out on the trail. Nova was a steady horse and the women were proud of how the rambunctious young boy had taken horse etiquette to heart.

He didn’t shout near the horse, move too fast, and he never walked behind her. Nova loved eating apples from his hand and had learned to trust the small boy. He knew all the dangers posed by her sharp hooves and heavy weight, and Freddie was relieved that he followed all the rules she and Bethany put in place.

She just hoped it was enough to ease his father’s worries when Drake finally found out about the lessons. The women had talked about his reticence to teach Teddy himself, but Bethany had shrugged it off as typical overprotectiveness.

When the lesson was over, they headed back to the Victorian. Drake called just as they walked in the door.

“How was school for Teddy? Did you two have a nice snack? Is there any baking going on?” 

Freddie laughed. “No, no baking, but I was thinking about making meatballs for dinner.”

Teddy yelled a greeting to his father and ran up to his room to keep playing horses. He was so happy with his lessons, he had not noticed how busy Drake was or that it was already Wednesday and they hadn’t had a single dinner together.

“Sorry, I’m not going to make it.” Drake sounded just as disappointed as Freddie felt. “Sutton convinced me to invest in a few horses that haven’t even been broken, and they are keeping us busy.”

“The meatballs will keep,” she said. “They’ll make a great lunch for you to take to the ranch tomorrow.”

“I’m not messing your schedule up too much, am I? I heard you convinced Alessa to make a dance studio at the store. I’m sure you’d rather be there.”

Freddie smiled, realizing it didn’t bother her. “I’m happy making dinner for Teddy. We just miss you.”

That “we” hung in the air, and her smile froze. Was she overstepping her bounds again? She berated herself. It was one thing to be a good nanny, and another to sound like a desperate single woman.

After a pause, Drake spoke softly. “You do make every dinner better.”

Freddie felt like she was floating after their phone conversation. A big batch of meatballs was done in no time, and she’d just pulled a box of spaghetti out of the cupboard when Teddy reappeared. He looked around, saw his father wasn’t there, and gave her a hopeful look.

“Maybe we should take dinner to the ranch,” Teddy told her. 

Her young charge looked so hopeful, and Drake had sounded almost wistful on the phone; it didn’t take Freddie long to break down. She wrapped the meatballs in tin foil, tossed the box of spaghetti in a brown paper bag, and, forgoing her normal homemade sauce, decided a jar would do just as well. They pulled into the ranch just twenty minutes later.

Hoping to surprise Drake, Teddy agreed to sneak inside instead of going directly to see the horses. In the cathedral-sized kitchen, Freddie put the meatballs to warm in the oven and filled a pot of water to boil. She even found a loaf of stale French bread in the pantry and set Teddy to buttering it for garlic bread.

“You finish those and I’ll let your father know dinner will be ready soon,” she told the eager young boy.

“Tell him I can help in the barn!”

Freddie shook her head. “Not tonight. You have to keep an eye on the water so it doesn’t boil over.”

Satisfied that he at least had a few responsibilities, Teddy settled onto a stool at the marble kitchen island. Freddie headed out the back door and across the porch. From there, she spotted Drake in full cowboy mode.

She had to steady herself on the porch railing as she watched him spur his horse around the meadow. He and Sutton were trying to corral one of the obviously unbroken horses. For all his cautious talking about Teddy and horses, Freddie had forgotten Drake was a cowboy born and bred. He could really ride. She watched and waited until they had forced the wild horse into a smaller paddock, then she stepped off the porch.

He saw her coming and rode to the fence. Freddie smiled up at him, sure her cheeks were bright pink. “Dinner’s almost ready.”

Drake steadied his horse with ease and grinned down at Freddie. “Most ranch hands would have just rung the bell, but I’m glad you came out.”

Freddie felt the need to steady herself on the fence. Seeing him in the saddle, eyes sparkling and a smile on his rugged face, forced her to face the fact that she had fallen in love. Despite his surly nature, Freddie could only see the good in him. Drake was her boss and strictly off limits, but she couldn’t help how her heart flipped every time he looked at her.

“Want a ride back to the barn?” Drake asked. He appeared to enjoy the way she couldn’t take her eyes off him or his horse.

“You make it look so easy,” she told him. “I can’t imagine being that comfortable on a horse myself.”

Drake tipped his hat back. “Would you want to learn?”

Freddie nodded and confessed. “I’m like Teddy; I love it here at the ranch. I want to learn all about the horses and how to take care of them and what you do.”

Her tough cowboy boss was looking down at her with such a soft look, Freddie felt like she might melt into the ground. It was impossible to look away from his steel-blue eyes, but something was nagging at her.

“Teddy,” Drake said.

“He’s in the kitchen helping with dinner,” Freddie said, but on instinct, she whirled around.

He was a good kid, but the lure of the horses was much stronger than buttering stale bread or watching a pot of water boil. She watched in horror as Teddy skipped off the porch and headed for the other end of the small paddock. Sutton had gone into the barn, and Drake was on the other side of a high fence. There was no one to get between him and the unbroken horse.

She called his name and then turned back to assure Drake. “Teddy knows how to act around horses; he won’t get too close. Everything will be fine.”

Drake’s gaze hardened. “How does he know how to act around horses?”

Freddie was torn between running to intercept Teddy and trying to explain to Drake about the secret lessons. Was now the time to tell him the truth?

“He loves them so much, Drake. Teddy’s willing to follow all the rules just for the chance to learn to ride,” she said.

“I told you ranches are dangerous places and I didn’t want my son anywhere he could get hurt.” Drake’s jaw was set hard. 

“He knows how to behave around a horse,” Freddie insisted, knowing full well she’d have to explain that fact to Drake.

Drake suddenly spurred his horse towards the smaller paddock. “That’s not just any horse,” he called over his shoulder.

Freddie heard the panic in his voice and started running towards Teddy. The little boy had pulled up a handful of grass and was walking closer to the fence. Inside the smaller paddock, the unbroken horse snorted and cantered back and forth.

Then it approached the fence.

“Teddy! Back up!” Freddie called.

Now she was close enough to see the horse’s nostrils flared wide, and its eyes were wild. Drake was maneuvering his own horse through the gate and racing to intervene. Teddy, coaxing the horse with quiet words, stuck his upper body through the boards of the fence and held out the tuft of grass.

The horse stopped short, reared up, then wheeled around. Just when Freddie thought it would gallop away and everything would be alright, its hind legs kicked out like a flash of dark lightning. She heard the crack of the fence wood and screamed.

Teddy’s body flew back through the fence and he toppled over in the grass. Drake dismounted at a full gallop and vaulted over the broken post. She and Drake reached the boy at the same time.

“That’s a mean horse,” Teddy said. He sat up, miraculously unhurt. 

By the grace of God, the horse’s hooves had missed the small boy and only kicked the fence post. He had reeled back out of shock but was untouched. Freddie sobbed in relief as Drake scooped him up.

“I’m fine, Dad. I’m sorry. That’s just a mean horse,” Teddy repeated himself.

Drake whirled around to pin Freddie with a piercing look. The unbroken horse was mean, but it was nothing compared to the anger she saw in her boss’ eyes.

CHAPTER 12

***DRAKE***

It had felt like a dream when Drake saw Freddie come down the back steps. The leap towards her was in his chest, not his horse’s movements, and he marveled at the feeling. Once, long ago, when he was too young to know better, Drake had felt that when he saw his ex-wife. This was different; he wasn’t an adolescent ruled by desire. He just knew that moving towards Freddie always felt right.

When she mentioned dinner, Drake had realized he was starving. No one had cooked for him throughout his marriage; he did his best in the kitchen and his ex ordered from restaurants. The idea that someone had anticipated his hunger and made a home-cooked meal fed his heart almost as much as his body.

Looking down at Freddie’s shy, smiling eyes, Drake had seen an honest truth he was surprised he hadn’t faced yet: his feelings for her were growing. After the unmentioned kiss, he had revisited that memory often as he was inspired to repeat it almost hourly. She would say something kind to Teddy, help Drake without asking, or laugh so genuinely he ached to encircle her in his arms again. He dreamt of brushing his lips over that sweet smile.

His brothers had definitely noticed. After dinner at the hotel, it had to be obvious. Theo’s teasing had stopped completely, a sure sign he knew there were genuine feelings there. Sutton brought Freddie up in casual conversation an unnatural amount, and even Dean had tersely inquired when she could come to his ranch. Teddy was much more innocent, but Drake saw the way his eyes shone when he and Freddie joked together or worked closely at the kitchen counter. 

She fit in his life like she had always belonged. 

Drake was over the moon when Freddie expressed her love for horses and her growing interest in the workings of the ranch. They worked so well together at home, he immediately imagined what wonderful support she would give him at work. He could finally be part of a real team.

In seconds, his mind had flown into a future daydream: she would know to ring the bell for dinner and he would try not to run from the barn to the back porch. First, he would sweep her into his arms and around, just to hear her laugh. Then he would indulge in a long, sweet kiss before heading inside. Teddy would greet them at the kitchen island, and it would be just as it had been at the Victorian most nights: a jostling, joking team effort with everyone happy they got to sit down together and eat. The perfect end to a good day of hard work, and Freddie would make it easy to get up and do it all over again.

He knew it was a daydream but refused to think it was a delusion. Yes, she was his employee, and it was strictly taboo for him to make romantic overtures. Yes, he was divorced and overprotective of his young son. Yes, she was worth the awkward transition and the town gossip. Drake had never heard so many yes answers echoing through his own thoughts.

The only real hurdle was trust. Drake wasn’t able to act foolish or daring. He was a single father with a young son who had already known too much hurt. Drake had thought long and hard about what the divorce had revealed and he knew what was underneath most of his fears: the worry that other people would always choose themselves over his son. His ex-wife had chosen her own comfort over Teddy. Even Sutton had chosen his oldest friend over his nephew. Would Freddie choose the chance to use her talent over his son?

His own heart he could gamble with, but Drake couldn’t trust just anyone with his son’s love.

Freddie had come to the ranch to bring him dinner; more than that, she had brought the family dinner he needed. The only problem was she hadn’t thought about Teddy. Sure, his son had probably begged to come and see the horses, but his safety far outweighed the joy of giving in to childish whims. Yet, there they were on the grass by the small paddock.

Now Drake thought about the look in Freddie’s eyes, and his heart squeezed tight. He might hope that she was interested in him, that she felt what he felt when they were together, but that meant she was thinking of herself and not Teddy. How could he ever trust her to put his son’s safety above their own desires?

“You knew it wasn’t safe for Teddy to visit the ranch, but you brought him anyway,” Drake snarled at her.

She was wide-eyed and frantic, reaching out to Teddy, but Drake wouldn’t let her past him. “He was supposed to stay in the kitchen. We were just coming for dinner!”

“You’re blaming it on him?” Drake couldn’t think straight. His heartbeat wouldn’t settle down, and his words came out in an angry huff.

“No, you’re right. I went against your wishes. We should have just stayed at home.”

“Our home!” Drake used words to push her away instead of his hands. He couldn’t fight the instinct to separate his son from anything that might cause him harm.

She stifled a sob with one hand over her mouth. The other still reached for Teddy. “Is he okay? Are you hurt?”

Teddy started to answer but Drake caught him up in his arms. “Hurt? Now you think of what might have happened to him? I told you the ranch was too dangerous for a child but you refused to listen.”

“I’m fine!” Teddy’s voice wavered. He was shaken by the near-miss and upset by the angry storm of emotions around him. His voice raised in pitch, “I’m not hurt. Put me down!”

Drake turned his back on Freddie and set his son on the ground. He checked his arms and legs for any cuts or bruises, then pointed at the shattered fence post. “That could have happened to you!”

The little boy looked at the damage from the horse’s hooves and burst into tears. Freddie moved around Drake and knelt on the ground beside him. “You don’t need to frighten him!”

“You’re telling me how to parent?” Drake roared.

“Stop!” Teddy shrieked. “Stop being mean to Freddie! I was supposed to stay in the kitchen. I didn’t listen and now I’ll never get to see any horses ever again!”

“It’s okay, Teddy. It was just a mistake.” Freddie tried to soothe the boy even as Drake blocked her way again. “Your dad has every right to be upset with me. My number one job is keeping you safe.”

“Speaking of your job,” Drake snarled.

Sutton, who had sprinted over from the barn at the first cry, finally stepped in. “Freddie, darling, why don’t you head back to the house. Drake just needs to cool off. I’ve got this.”

“Darling?” Drake felt his anger spilling over a sharp edge. “Of course you’d side with her. Anyone but me, huh? Can’t even support me when the one person who was supposed to keep Teddy safe let him wander right into danger. She even admitted it herself!”

“The kid’s got to come to the ranch. This is your life, his life!” Sutton said. “You’re just overreacting, and that’s totally normal.”

“It’s totally normal to watch your only son nearly have his head taken off by a horse kick?” Drake knew he was out of control, but the words wouldn’t stop. “Does that sound normal to you?”

Sutton held out both hands as if he was trying to calm another unbroken horse. “Just breathe, Drake. Teddy doesn’t have a scratch on him. No one’s hurt.”

No one except Drake. His trust in Freddie was gone and he was heartbroken all over again. The only thing his agony could let him think to do was get in the face of his younger brother, who had also hurt him with his disloyalty.

Sutton squared up and looked him right in the eyes.

Drake said without taking his eyes off his brother, “Freddie, take the kid up to the house. We might be a minute.”

He heard Freddie take his reluctant son to the ranch house before taking and deep breath and scowling at Sutton.

“Now you’re going to try to step in and be all brotherly? Where have you been?” Drake stepped up toe-to-toe with his younger brother. “Where was all this concern when Teddy spent a whole week crying himself to sleep?”

“I didn’t know about that,” Sutton’s eyes went from anger to concern as the revelation of Drake’s hurt set in.

“You were too busy playing nice with my ex’s family.” Drake scrubbed a shaky hand over his eyes and growled.

It took a full ten minutes until the fear and fight ebbed out of Drake. Somewhere in his upset thoughts, he knew he couldn’t blame Sutton and he was completely overreacting, but there was still a fog of shock smothering his mind.

Finally, Sutton asked, “So, you gonna tell me what this was all about? I mean, I’m starting to get you think I sided with your ex, which I didn’t, but what else is it?”

Drake looked at the clouds, then rubbed a weary hand over his face. “Do you remember when High Creek Ranch put up all those ‘no trespassing’ signs?”

Sutton stood up straighter, curious. “First time I got to use a hammer.”

“Well, you were too young to know why we did it.” Drake heaved himself up. “It used to be that anyone could come up the drive and admire the horses. Families used to bring picnics and almost make a day of it.”

“I remember picnics under those shade trees,” Sutton said.

“One day, this nice family came. They had three boys and a baby girl in a little white basket. I remember because the boys asked me to play tag with them.”

“Where was I?” Sutton asked.

Drake smirked with zero humor. “Inside taking a nap. And you were lucky because you missed the accident.”

His younger brother stiffened. “Oh, Lord. I remember hearing about this.”

“We played tag, then I headed onto the porch to ask for lemonade. I thought the boys would all go back to their mother in the shade, but one of them didn’t.” Drake shuddered. “He must have been about six or seven.”

Sutton wanted to stop him and save him from remembering, but Drake had to get the story out now. “I watched him head over to the meadow fence. No big deal, right? The horses there were well-behaved. We were around them every day. The little boy climbed the fence to try to pet them. Maybe it was a door slamming? Maybe someone yelled? I don’t know. All I saw was the horse bounce up and its back legs snap out. Caught the little boy square in the face. He just crumpled down the fence.”

“He died instantly.” Sutton shook his head. “Theo told me about it years later. I didn’t know you watched it happen.”

Drake got up and pulled his brother to his feet. “I think about it every time I pull into the driveway, every time Teddy asks me if he can come to the ranch.”

“It was a freak accident. You know that, right?” Sutton grabbed Drake by the shoulders and looked him right in the eye. “You of all people know horses and know that things like that are rare. Rare and preventable.”

“It almost happened today. To Teddy.”

Sutton dropped his arms. “Then teach him the dangers. Tell him that story if you have to, but don’t go around carrying this horrible memory and lashing out every time someone makes a simple mistake.”

“Simple mistake?” Drake felt the anger rising up inside him again. “See? It’s so easy for you to just brush everything off. It’s not your son, it’s not your life. You can just up and leave town if you want to. You can stand there and tell me to forget that Freddie disobeyed a clear rule and let Teddy wander right into danger because it doesn’t matter that much to you.”

“It matters to me.” Sutton balled his hands into fists again. “And, watch out, you’re starting to sound like Dean barking orders and threatening what will happen if we don’t obey.”

“Get out of my way,” Drake snarled. “I need to check on my son.”

“He’s fine, but you know who got hurt? Freddie. The way you turned on her was awful.” Sutton crossed his arms tightly.

“I’m supposed to care about Freddie over my son? See? You really don’t get how this ‘thicker than water’ family stuff works.”

Sutton blocked Drake’s steps again. “You know she’d do anything for your son. And you. In fact, we all thought you cared about her a lot more than this. You’re really going to blame her for a near-miss?”

Drake couldn’t take any more. “I’m not going to blame her. I’m going to fire her.”

He shoved past Sutton and marched up to the house. Freddie must have been watching from the kitchen window because she flew out the back door and met him on the steps. 

“Teddy’s fine. In fact, he’s eating dinner. I had to distract him with something while you and Sutton, ah, worked it out.” She wrung her hands but didn’t back down. “I’m so sorry, Drake. I know you just want to see Teddy right now, but please let me apologize first. I never meant to—”

Drake held up a hand and cut her off. “I don’t want to hear it. I can’t think of how many times I told you I didn’t want Teddy here because it’s not a safe place for a kid.”

“We were kids here.” Sutton caught up to Drake and climbed the steps to stand by Freddie. “You were on horseback more than the ground all through elementary and middle school.”

“We’re not talking about me,” Drake snapped. “We’re talking about how the nanny couldn’t follow simple instructions and how my son almost paid the price.”

“I’m so sorry, Drake. It’ll never happen again. Especially not after today.”

“You’re right.” Drake couldn’t bring himself to look in Freddie’s eyes any more than he could stop the angry, protective words coming out of his mouth. “It won’t happen again because you’re fired.”

Sutton scowled. “You can’t fire her over this.”

“I can and I am. Just like I’m telling you right now the riding school will never happen. You can forget about our business partnership.”

He left them both speechless on the back porch and went inside to hug his son.

CHAPTER 13

***FREDDIE***

Freddie heard her father pull into the homestead's driveway. He parked next to his old pickup—the first sign that she was at home. Her plan to hide from everyone was about to fail. He took his time getting out and it was a few minutes before he cautiously walked towards the house. He was already worried.

There were telltale signs of his daughter’s distress all around. The weeds along the front sidewalk had been whacked back neatly. The steps were swept clean. Freddie had even washed the windows that flanked the front door and brushed the welcome mat until it looked brand new. She cleaned when she was worried, upset, stressed, or all three, and her father was puzzled.

They had talked less than forty-eight hours ago when everything sounded great: she was enjoying her little apartment on the back of the Victorian house, her job as a nanny seemed like the perfect fit, and she was enjoying small-town life again. 

Now, her father opened the front door to find the floor so clean he decided to step back and take his boots off on the front steps. “Freddie? You home?” he called.

She stuck her head farther into the refrigerator and pretended she couldn’t hear him. As part of her cleaning frenzy, Freddie had taken all the food out and spread it along the now-sparkling countertops. She scrubbed the refrigerator shelves and tried not to think of what had sent her into such an emotion-avoiding cleaning jag. She could barely explain what happened to herself, much less her father.

“There you are.” Fred tried to sound cheerful. “You didn’t need to do all this for me!”

He knew. Freddie could hear it in the forced casual tone of his voice. She finished scrubbing out the bottom shelf of the refrigerator and blinked back hot tears.

“You deserve a clean house. Especially if your grown daughter is going to have to live with you again,” she told him in a wavering voice.

Fred sighed and started handing her food. “I take it something happened at work?”

She concentrated on putting back groceries in the most organized way possible. “I got fired. And I deserved it. I thought it was okay to bend one silly rule and then something terrible almost happened and it was all my fault.”

Her father paused, a large bag of carrots in his hand. “What almost happened? What silly rule?”

Freddie groaned. “It wasn’t a silly rule. Drake was right. Horse ranches aren’t a safe place for children.”

“Is Teddy okay?” her father asked.

“Yes, he’s fine. I think he’s fine.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I really wish I could see him and tell him I’m sorry.”

“Okay,” her father said in a decisive voice. “I’m making you some tea and you’re going to tell me everything.”

The tears overflowed. “I took the kettle to my apartment and I can’t bear to go back and get my stuff!”

Fred helped her off the floor in front of the refrigerator and steered her towards the little linoleum table. “I wanted coffee anyway. When was the last time you ate?”

“I’m not hungry,” Freddie said. She swiped her tears. “I’m just a mess and I’m sorry but I’m sad you came home early. I didn’t want you to see me this way!”

“Your mother used to clean when she was angry. I’d prefer that to seeing you so upset,” he said. “Are you sure we shouldn’t be angry at your boss?”

He stomped across the clean floor and started making coffee. Freddie knew it all sounded a bit too dramatic from his perspective. She would have to tell him the full story in order for him to understand. The thought made her eyes fill with tears again. Why couldn’t she just forget she’d ever met Drake Rolston?

Fred let her recover as the coffee brewed, then he poured them both a mug and sat down across from her at the small table. “Now, tell me the full story.”

She took a deep breath. “I really loved being a nanny. Teddy is the sweetest little man in the world, but I think it was more than that. I loved being in charge of his schedule, his snacks, his well-being, everything.”

“You always were a natural with kids,” her father agreed.

“I just couldn’t see the harm in taking Teddy to the horse ranch. Drake told me it was a dangerous place, but he’s always so grouchy and I just thought he was being overprotective.” Freddie took a steadying sip of the strong, black coffee.

“He’s a rancher’s kid; seems like a natural place for him to be.”

Freddie nodded. “And he loves horses!”

Her father put down his mug. “So, I’m guessing something happened around the horses when you took him out to the ranch.”

“It was like Drake predicted it. I was distracted, just for a few moments, and that’s when Teddy wandered right into harm’s way.” Freddie decided to skip telling her father what had distracted her. In retrospect, it seemed beyond foolish to have feelings for Drake or pretend they had a possible future together.

“But the kid’s okay?” He heard her reassurance that Teddy was shaken but not hurt, then he gritted his teeth. “So, nothing actually happened but Rolston had a fit and fired you anyway?”

Freddie tried not to think of it that way. It was too painful to think she meant so little to Drake that he was able to throw away their connection over a mistake. “He was right, and I was the one that went against his wishes.”

Her father looked unconvinced. “Tell me exactly what happened.”

She explained about the dinner plan and how she told Teddy to stay in the kitchen. Then she described meeting Drake at the back paddock. Then she rushed through seeing Teddy walking up to the unbroken horse and how one kick shattered a fence post. Fred nodded and sympathized until he heard about Drake firing her on the spot. He wrapped his hands around his mug and sat very still.

“I’ve never seen him so upset,” Freddie said. “I mean, he’s gruff and barks orders and grits his teeth kinda like you are now, but he’s never so, so angry.”

Fred blew out a big sigh. “Afraid. Drake wasn’t angry; he was afraid. Even though it was a few seconds, he thought his son was seriously hurt. It’s hard to recover from something like that.”

That was why she felt so horrible. Freddie knew what she had put Drake through because she felt the exact same fear. “After that, he had every right to be angry with me. I don’t blame him for firing me.”

Her father appeared to have much more to say about that, but something occurred to him. “You know, I think there’s another reason why that incident would have affected Drake so much. You said he was always adamant the horse ranch was a dangerous place for children?”

Freddie nodded. “It seemed a little strange because he grew up there. His brothers told me that Drake learned to ride before he was in first grade.”

“All those Rolston boys did, except maybe Sutton, and now that makes total sense,” Fred said. “I remember there was an accident out there when Drake was young.”

“An accident involving a child?”

“Yes.” Her father crossed his arms over his chest. “It was terrible. From what I recall, there was an out-of-town family that had come to see the horses. Rolston Senior had some prize winners there back in the day. He showed them off in that front paddock and anyone who drove by was welcome to have a closer look.”

Freddie thought of Clover streaking along the fence line of the front paddock and her heart stumbled. It was a beautiful sight and she couldn’t blame anyone for wanting to show off such amazing animals, or anyone for wanting to see them up close.

She braced herself. “How young was the child?”

Her father frowned. “I don’t know. Six or so? A little boy.”

Freddie gasped. “That’s Teddy’s age. Was he hurt badly?”

He hesitated but had to tell her the truth. “One kick to the head and he was gone before anyone could reach him.”

They sat in silence until her father continued softly, “the worst thing is, I’m certain Drake witnessed it. From all accounts, that boy was outside more than he ever was in, and he was involved with all the horses on the ranch. Seeing something like that as a child would certainly haunt a man.”

Freddie agreed. She could still hear the crack of the fence post and see Teddy’s small body reeling backwards into the grass. She couldn’t imagine what memories Drake carried around of the accident that actually killed a child.

“So, he had every reason to overact, but that was all it was.” Fred stood up and refilled his coffee mug. “When Drake comes back to his senses, he’ll realize he made a mistake, but then he better apologize.”

“He tried to tell me, in his own surly way.” Freddie defended Drake. “He tried to keep Teddy away from the horses and didn’t give permission for him to come to the ranch.”

Her father snorted. “And, let me guess, that made the boy love horses even more. Bet he begged you to go out there every minute of every day.”

Freddie gave her father a wry smile. “Are all kids really so contrary?”

“I kept telling you that big cities didn’t fulfill dreams, and off you ran.”

She hugged her father and assured him she would be all right, after she finished sweeping the back porch and maybe washing the windows. Her father had given her a lot to think about. Drake’s reaction, or overreaction, made more sense, and she wondered if her father was right about her firing being a mistake. Would he want her to come back as Teddy’s nanny?

Her father had also mentioned her big-city dreams. It had been a while since she thought about dancing, and she needed to think about her old goals as she considered her future. Freddie was at a crossroads again, and it was time to decide what she really wanted.

She picked up a broom and tried to imagine herself back in San Francisco. The hills were ridiculous, the buildings so close together, and her mind kept drifting to the wide-open vistas around her hometown. So, Freddie thought about staying in Isabel. She could twist Alessa’s arm into giving her a job at The Tack and Feed, but she’d rather work with children than customers at the store.

That just made her think of the first moment she met Teddy, and her eyes filled with tears again. The problem was, she had thought of him as an extension of her family. Mornings in the kitchen with him and Drake, dinners at the table altogether, what she had really loved about her job was the family aspects. She’d wanted a family more than a job, and that was why getting fired hurt so much.

Clearly, Drake had not felt the same or he would not have been able to fire her so instantly. Freddie remembered how cold he was when he kicked her off the back porch and off of the ranch. Even after they all knew that Teddy was unhurt, Drake still hadn’t been able to see her as anything but a disobedient employee. He had torn her out of his life, and Teddy’s life, without a second thought.

By this time, Freddie had swept up a small tornado on the back porch and needed to go outside for a breath of fresh air. Her thoughts were finally clearing. Accidentally putting Teddy in danger was her biggest mistake, but a close second was caring for him and Drake too much. Freddie had done her job as a nanny so well that she treated them like family, but she had begun to think of them in the same way. 

In the future, Freddie assured herself that she would keep her job and heart in separate places.

“Looks like you have a visitor,” her father called out the back door.

Thinking it was her cousin Alessa, Freddie gestured for her guest to come around back. To her horror, Bethany appeared around the corner of the house. Her platinum hair was tied neatly back in a perfect ponytail, her makeup fresh and flawless. She wore a crisp white shirt under a tailored vest and her dark denim jeans were unstuffed from the waist to the heels.

Freddie, on the other hand, wore jeans with a hole in the left knee, and a faded tee-shirt. Her hair was frizzy and coming loose from a messy bun, and her face was still tear-streaked. She tried to brush off some of the dust from her cathartic sweeping, but it was no use. She was a mess.

Bethany appeared not to notice and pulled her into a tight hug. “I had to come as soon as I heard the whole story.”

Freddie, horrified that she’d smudged Bethany’s shirt, pulled back and shook her head. “You didn’t need to come.”

“What? No.” Bethany, unfazed by the messy backyard, plopped down in a sun-bleached Adirondack chair. “I’m the one that pushed you to let Teddy have secret riding lessons. Of course he thought he could approach that horse! I should have been more strict. Sutton is always telling me I go too far wanting everyone to be freewheeling.”

Freddie flopped down in the chair beside her, grateful to have a friend. “I’m the one that was too lax. Do you think Drake will ever forgive me?”

“What’s to forgive? It was an accident.” Bethany tossed her bright ponytail. “That man is too hard by half and he’ll realize it one of these days. I can’t wait to see his face when you come back.”

“Oh, no. I can’t do that.”

Bethany gave her a sympathetic look but shook her head. “You have to. Teddy’s been asking about you.”

That nearly broke Freddie’s heart all over, but she shook her head. “I can’t go back to being Teddy’s nanny.”

“I don’t blame you. Drake must have been the worst boss ever.” Bethany grabbed Freddie’s hand. “So, you tell me. What are we going to do next?”

“You mean I can’t hide out here for, like, twenty more days?”

Bethany laughed and pulled Freddie to her feet. “Not even twenty more minutes. Come on; I know the perfect way to get you going again.”

Freddie used her free hand to try to smooth down her hair. “What way is that?”

She balked at the back steps and pleaded with her friend not to make her go into town looking like such a mess. Bethany, shrugging off her messy hair and clothes, assured her they were not heading into town.

“And I know for certain Nova doesn’t care what you look like,” she said.

“The horse?” Freddie let Bethany pull her into the driveway.

“That’s right.” Bethany pushed Freddie into the passenger seat of her car. “Everybody knows when you get thrown, you gotta get right back in the saddle. So, that is what I’m making you do. We are going riding.”

CHAPTER 14

***DRAKE***

Confessing the bad memory to Sutton made it more vivid and, for the next few days, Drake found himself checking on Teddy more. To his constant relief, Teddy was unhurt, but Drake couldn’t help feeling anxious about the near-miss. His mind often conjured the image of the other child dropping to the ground, and Drake was helpless to forget how quickly life could disappear.

He was glad to have Teddy all to himself so he could fuss over his son as much as he wanted. Teddy, on the other hand, was upset with Drake and pushed him away. The little boy took Freddie’s absence to mean he had to do everything himself. That meant spilled milk on the counter, crushed cereal on the floor, mismatched outfits, and misplaced school items in the hallway.

Drake seized on the forgotten gym shoes and rushed to Teddy’s school just to reassure himself once again that his son was all right. 

When called to collect his shoes, all Teddy said was, “Freddie would never forget Wednesday is gym day.”

Drake wandered slowly to the parking lot, trying not to remember Freddie’s wide and pleading eyes. The hurt he had seen on her face was nothing compared to what could have happened to Teddy. Why did no one understand?

He cranked his truck into gear and headed to the horse ranch. Everyone had immediately stood up for Freddie. Sutton fought him hard enough to get kicked off the ranch. Theo tried to ease him out of it but finally lost his good humor and called Drake the most stubborn of mules. Dean had left a voicemail telling his youngest brother his thinking was backward and he needed to turn things around.

In his mind, Drake had done what was necessary. As a single father, he was the only one responsible for Teddy’s safety, and he would do anything to keep his son from getting hurt again. Wasn’t it enough he had watched his ex walk away and leave their son without a mother? Now he was supposed to trust Teddy to easily-distracted people who couldn’t follow simple rules? He refused to feel in the wrong.

Though he had to admit it did not feel good to drive up to the High Creek Ranch knowing he was on his own. Sutton refused to step foot on the ranch again, and Theo had a renewed interest in his own problems. It was just him and his part-time employee, and Drake had to leave to pick Teddy up after school. At least there was enough work to do to keep his mind off Freddie.

Drake couldn’t believe how often his thoughts wandered to her. In fact, she was the first thing he thought of when he caught Justin frowning at his phone. Small town gossip traveled fast, and Drake assumed his employee’s unhappy expression meant he’d heard what his boss did to his neighbor. 

“Phone off. We’ve got too much work to do,” Drake snapped.

“You mean me,” Justin snapped back. “Unless you expect me to make it into town and back and get this done before you get Teddy.”

Drake caught himself staring at an excellent impression of his own surliness. The worst part was the kid was right. “What about exercising the three geldings?”

“Got them hooked up while you were running late,” Justin grumbled. He then turned his back on Drake and went to work on the nearest stall.

“Right. Fine. I’ll pick up the shipment, bring it back and sort it. Then we’ll meet up and go over tomorrow’s to-do list,” Drake spoke to his employee’s back and only got a small shrug in response.

Gritting his teeth against another person who didn’t understand, Drake headed back to his pickup truck. So, Freddie’s neighbor thought she was treated unfairly; what did he know? He didn’t have a child of his own. He didn’t have to worry about shielding someone he loved from pain no one could see coming.

No. Wrong. Drake reminded himself that the near-accident would never have happened if Freddie had listened to him in the first place.

Drake had to remind himself of that again when he walked into The Tack and Feed. He found himself lingering by the front display of cowboy hats. That was where he had spotted Teddy the day he got lost. Drake remembered how quickly his son was there and then gone. He’d rushed through the big store, frantically searching for the small boy, with his heart squeezed so tight blood was ringing in his ears.

He’d seen Teddy’s smile first, beaming at the woman kneeling in front of him, that big cowboy hat balanced precariously on his head. Freddie had found him and made him smile, the same way she did at the park. Why did she have to break Drake’s trust?

He rubbed his chest absently and headed to the counter. Alessa darted out from behind the cash register and went to help a customer who clearly did not need any assistance. Drake waited, aware that more than one townsperson was giving him the stink eye. Finally, he tracked Alessa down and demanded his order.

“I just need my shipment and I’ll get out of your way,” he told her.

Alessa glared at him. “Everyone’s a Rolston employee, huh? If I don’t jump to do your bidding, are you going to fire me?”

“Only if you expect to keep my business,” Drake snapped.

She arched an eyebrow in the same way her cousin did, but there was no softness to Alessa’s tone. “About your business here at the store, why don’t we discuss it in my office? Right this way, Mr. Rolston.”

He had no choice but to follow. The Tack and Feed was the only supply store for miles around and, despite his threat, he needed them in order to run the ranch.

Still, when she shut the office door hard enough to make him wince, Drake said, “I suggest we both choose our words with care, Ms. Jones.”

“Let’s talk about caring, shall we?” Alessa stood behind her small manager’s desk and glared at him like she wanted to wring his neck. “Freddie cares for everyone. She puts everyone first. You were wrong to think her mistake was evidence that she didn’t put your son and his safety first.”

“Did she put everyone first when she took off for San Francisco?” Drake snarled.

Alessa’s eyes went wide, hurt on her cousin’s behalf. “You have no idea what it took for us all to convince her to go. She’d spent all of junior high, all of high school, taking care of her father. He took the long-hauls just so she didn’t feel the need to be there for every dinner. Even then, it took me months to convince her she had to take a shot. Everyone could see her talent; everyone wanted her to take a chance on something for herself.”

“So maybe she should focus on dancing.”

“That’s not the point.” Alessa blew out a frustrated breath. “I’m not even sure that’s what she wants anymore. The point is, Freddie didn’t endanger your son. It was an accident. And somehow you’re blind to the fact that she’s so torn up by what could have happened that she can’t do anything.”

Drake frowned. “What do you mean?”

“You think she should focus on dancing?” Alessa tossed open a side door and let him see the polished hardwood and propped-up mirrors that made up Freddie’s studio. “She hasn’t set foot in here. She hasn’t set foot off her father’s homestead for fear of hurting someone else she cares about.”

Drake didn’t know what to say. It was hard to focus on his resolve. “Teddy could have died,” he stammered. “I’ve seen it happen before.”

Alessa closed the studio door, took a deep breath, and finally looked at Drake. He felt shaky and, from her expression, he could tell the color had drained from his face. He’d seen the ashen pallor when he looked in the mirror that morning. Dreams of the past accident had tortured him all night.

She sat down and motioned for Drake to do the same. “What exactly happened?”

Drake pulled himself together and frowned. “Freddie brought my son to the ranch when I told her specifically it wasn’t a safe place.”

“What, she dropped him off in the driveway and gave him a boot towards the barn?” Alessa was not about to mince words when it was her cousin being accused.

“She told him to stay in the kitchen,” Drake admitted.

“More kids get scalded with boiling water in the kitchen than get kicked by horses. Didn’t you ever have to learn statistics?”

Drake gritted his teeth. “I told you. I’ve seen a kid get killed that way before.”

Alessa pressed her fingers over her eyes before she lowered them and looked straight at him. “I remember that accident. True, I didn’t witness it like you did, but I heard what everyone was saying. You seem to have forgotten how those parents were not paying attention.”

“You’re blaming the parents?”

She shook her head. “No more than anyone blamed the horse. Yes, big animals are unpredictable and dangerous. Yes, the parents were not paying attention. In the end, the only truth of it is that accidents happen.”

“Not anymore. My father stopped letting people swing by like it was a tourist attraction.” Drake slumped back in the uncomfortable office chair.

“Is your son a tourist or a Rolston?”

Even asked casually, that made Drake sit up. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Alessa still didn’t mince words. “It means everyone in town is wondering if you plan to stay and really make a go of the ranch or if you’re just passing through.”

“And what does that have to do with my son?”

She threw her hands up in exasperation. “Honestly, Drake, think about it. If you’re really planning to stay, then your son needs to know the High Creek Ranch better than a tourist. You want to know the only way to prevent a near-miss from happening to that sweet child again?”

Drake disliked unsolicited advice, but he needed to know. “What?”

“Education. Teach that little cowboy everything you know about horses. He already has the desire. Now he just needs to learn the etiquette, the caution, the know-how.”

Drake hated admitting someone else was right even more than he disliked advice, but Alessa had a point. “Sounds like Sutton’s been running his big mouth around town,” he grumbled, mostly to himself.

Confident that she was correct, Alessa stood up. “I’m not going to lie, a riding school would mean good business for us here, but you know why I called you in here to talk. My cousin didn’t deserve to get fired.”

Freddie. Drake couldn’t believe she was gone; Teddy wasn’t the only one that expected her to walk through the door of the Victorian every morning. What he could believe is that she was just as upset about Teddy’s close call as Drake was himself. 

Knowing that weighed on him as he collected his shipment and headed out to his truck. There, he found his brother, Sutton, slumped against the driver’s side door, looking ready for another fight.

“Good Lord, help me.” Bethany rushed down the sidewalk and scooted between the two men. “I was only gone for a few minutes. You two better keep the peace. Main Street doesn’t need to see you hashing things out.”

Despite Alessa’s solid advice, Drake said, “We’ve got nothing to discuss.”

“Told you he wouldn’t apologize.” Sutton drawled.

Bethany scowled at him. “I never took your stupid bet, and I’m not going to stand here while you two act like children.”

“Speaking of, how is my nephew?”

The question, asked with genuine care, caught Drake by surprise. “He’s fine. Miraculously unhurt.”

Sutton tipped his head. “Scared of horses now?”

Drake flexed his jaw but told the truth, “he still loves them. That plastic stable of his is taking over the entire house.”

Satisfied that his nephew was okay, the sharper glint came back into Sutton’s eyes. “Bet he’s asking after Freddie all the time.”

“Since when do you care about childcare ?” Drake snapped.

“Since I saw that kid make such a strong connection. She really cares for him, and somehow you’re pretending like no one noticed.” Sutton stepped closer to his brother. “No one in town believes she was neglectful or did anything wrong.”

Drake fought the urge to shove Sutton. “And you speak for the town of Isabel now? Seems to me, you just got back and no one believes you’ll stick around.”

Sutton’s eyes sparked. He poked a finger into Drake’s chest. “What about you? Seems to me you’re not sticking around either. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be keeping Teddy from the ranch. Don’t want him to get too attached?”

Drake marched around his brother and deposited the ranch supplies in the back of his truck. A sharp pain behind his eyes made him wonder just what kind of a nerve his brother had hit. Was the real reason he didn’t want Teddy at High Creek Ranch because he didn’t want his son to miss it if they moved? He took solace in his own use of the word “if” instead of “when.”

He strode back, prepared to push past Sutton and leave the rest of the discussion for another day. This time it was Bethany that stood in his way.

“I think it’s about time you both figured out that you’re home. You have roots here and more reasons to stay than either of you are smart enough to count.” She pleaded with Drake, “I know you want what’s best for Teddy. We all want what’s best for him, including Freddie. When are you going to think seriously about what that boy has right here in front of you?”

“It’s a lot to think about,” was the best Drake could give Bethany. She seemed to understand that gruff statement was the closest to a truce he was willing to give because she stepped out of the way and shooed Sutton onto the sidewalk.

On the way back to the ranch, Drake really did consider what was best for his son. The only problem was every time he asked that complicated question, only one answer came to the top of his mind. No matter how he phrased the question, the first answer was always Freddie.

CHAPTER 15

***FREDDIE***

“Thank you again for doing this.” Freddie hitched her foot into the stirrup Bethany held for her. “I can’t imagine this is what you want to do with your morning.”

From what Freddie had seen of her elegant friend and, from the little she’d heard about her fortunate upbringing, she pictured Bethany spending her mornings at brunch or the spa or out shopping. She certainly didn’t picture her standing in a muddy paddock helping a woman climb on to a horse.

“Are you kidding?” Bethany smiled and handed Freddie the reins. “If I was back home right now, my mother or sister would be guilting me into a spin class or some other horrible fitness fad. Ugh. Have you ever heard of chemical peels?”

Freddie laughed. “The facial thing? Best you’re going to get out here is a mud bath.”

“Trust me. Anything is preferable to the strict beauty routine expected of the women in my family.” Bethany stood back and motioned for Freddie to take the horse out.

Freddie nudged her heels into Nova’s sides and the gentle horse moved into a steady walk. Learning to handle the horse was helping her get past the incident at Drake’s ranch, and riding felt wonderful. She urged Nova into a slow canter and felt a swell of pride as she guided the horse around the paddock.

“You’re a natural,” Bethany told her when she rejoined her at the gate. “All the grace and control from dancing makes you a great rider.”

Freddie had a flash of dance rehearsals and felt a quick stab of nostalgia for San Francisco. Bethany noticed as they walked Nova back to the stable, but Freddie reassured her friend:

“I don’t really miss it. Is that weird? What kind of person just lets their biggest dream evaporate?” Freddie asked.

Bethany shook her head. “It’s not weird at all. Dreams change, especially as we grow up and let other people into our lives.”

Freddie thought about Bethany separating from her family, how she missed her own mother, and the gap in her life now that Teddy and Drake were estranged from her. “And let some people go.”

Bethany gave her a quick hug. “The good ones, the right ones, always come back.”

Freddie hung onto that thought as she headed back to her father’s home. When she’d first gotten back to Isabel, she thought that was the last place she wanted to be. Now she couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. Freddie felt as if, despite how messy it was, this was where she was supposed to be. All she had to do was have faith the right people would be there too.

Her heart ached as the first people that always came to mind were Drake and his son. Freddie tried to tell herself it was because they were the first people she really ran into when she got back home, but she knew it was more than that. She missed Drake’s grumpy expression as he poured coffee; as if she couldn’t see the warmth in his eyes when he looked at his son or talked about the ranch. Freddie even missed tripping over Teddy’s plastic horses. She longed to hear him chatter about what each was one called and which ones liked apples more than carrots.

Her father sensed her mood and kept himself busy outside in the yard. It was hard for Fred to see his daughter so down. When they had lost her mother, she focused so fiercely on dance that Fred had never had to worry about her wallowing. Now it was impossible not to notice the weight of sadness she dragged around the house.

He finally sneaked inside when Freddie had settled into the kitchen to cook some unnecessarily elaborate meal. Desperate to find some way to cheer her up, he resorted to snooping around her bedroom. There, Fred found her laptop and, assured that she was busy chopping up vegetables, opened it. Her password, of course, was her dear mother’s name, and Fred promised his deceased wife he was intruding on their daughter’s privacy with the best of intentions.

Not sure what he was looking for, Fred was delighted to see the name of the San Francisco dance troupe in her email inbox. Why was it unopened? In the kitchen, Freddie started humming a melancholy tune, so Fred took a chance and opened the message. He scanned the email’s few paragraphs, fidgeted over the keyboard, changed his mind, then changed it back. With clumsy fingers not used to typing, Fred quickly wrote a response. Unsure of his decision, he then quickly shut her laptop and scooted out of her room. The humming and vegetable chopping had stopped, so he tried to act casual. 

Freddie caught her father lingering in the hallway and frowned. “Everything okay?”

Sometimes she saw him standing there, staring at the happy family pictures her mother had hung up so many years ago. They got dusty and he always blamed that for the way his eyes looked red and itchy after he’d been caught lingering there.

This time, though, her father didn’t even glance at the photo wall. He hitched up his pants and his eyes were a little too wide. What had he been up to?

“I was just wondering if I should, ah, change for dinner?” Fred chuckled. “Seems like you’re cooking up something fancy.”

Freddie arched an eyebrow at her father but let him scoot past her. “No need to change clothes. Oh, but I did want to know if you’d like a fresh vinaigrette on the salad tonight.”

“Whatever the chef says,” her father called over his shoulder.

Still feeling suspicious, Freddie took a quick glance around her bedroom. Nothing looked out of place. She thought about giving it a quick tidying but then caught sight of her computer. Freddie had been avoiding it for days because she didn’t quite know who she hoped to hear from when she opened her email.

Over dinner, she noticed her father seemed a little nervous. Freddie figured it was because he wanted to discuss her plans and, when he cleared his throat, she decided her hunch was right.

“So, you know, you can go anywhere you want from here. I’ve got a healthy savings account and a ticket to San Francisco is no problem,” he said.

Freddie sighed. “It would be strange heading back there without going to dance rehearsals.”

“What about dancing, then?” Fred hitched his chair closer to his daughter. “I know about the studio Alessa made for you, but wouldn’t you rather go back to dancing in the big city?”

“I don’t know, Dad. What if that’s not really the dream for me?”

Her father frowned. “Just because that dance troupe was foolish enough to turn you down doesn’t mean they won’t want to see you dance again.”

Freddie pushed her plate away and landed her arms on the table. “It was great working with them, I really loved it, but I’m not sure dancing is right for me. As a career, I mean. The parts I loved the most were the people and the rehearsals and the feeling it was all some sort of big family.”

“Then maybe you should give it another shot.” Her father was determined to encourage her, no matter her fluctuating feelings. He jumped up and started clearing dishes from the table. “Why don’t you head over to that space Alessa let you have? A little movement always did help you clear your mind.”

Freddie wondered why her father was pushing her out the door, but shrugged it off. He was right; dancing always did help her calm her emotions and clear her thoughts. She helped him clear the table then let her father shoo her away from doing the dishes. Grabbing her dance bag, Freddie headed out and climbed into her father’s old pickup truck. 

As soon as she pulled out of the driveway, she thought of Drake. It seemed impossible not to remember Clover cantering by and her first glimpse of the grouchy cowboy. Instead, she tried to keep her eyes on the pretty spring sunset—they didn’t have a horizon like that in the hilly city of San Francisco.

She took the long way to The Tack and Feed so she didn’t have to catch sight of Drake’s beautiful old Victorian. That meant she also avoided the park where he’d caught her talking to a tree, and she didn’t need to see Teddy’s elementary school. There were so many places that reminded her of her Rolston men that her emotions were roiling again by the time she parked and headed into the store.

Alessa waved from the register and clearly wanted to talk to Freddie, but she gestured to the back room and headed right there when her cousin nodded. A few stray boxes and some discarded sale signs were scattered around the floor, and it took Freddie a few minutes to clear up the space. Luckily, business was still brisk before dinner time and Alessa was caught up with customers. Freddie changed into her dance clothes and turned on her favorite music mix.

She stretched and moved, spun, and started her favorite pieces of choreography. Freddie kept the flow going and created her own impromptu routine, but nothing could distract her from the funnel of her thoughts. They all ran back to Drake and Teddy. How could she miss an employer and his young son so much?

Freddie loved dance because the best performers she ever saw told the truth on stage. She aspired to that in every lesson and rehearsal and had trained herself to let her movement and body tell the truth through dance. 

And the truth was Drake and Teddy meant more to her than she cared to admit.

She went home sadder than she had left and, when her cheerful father woke her in the morning, she wished she could stay under the covers forever.

“Come on, Junior! I made bacon and eggs. Let’s get this day started right!” her father called from the kitchen.

Freddie groaned. Another day without seeing Drake’s endearingly grumpy expression or hearing Teddy’s sweet voice, seemed like too much to bear. “I don’t feel well.”

“Nonsense,” Fred called her out from the kitchen. “You know you’ll feel better after you get in here and eat something.”

She had no choice but to get dressed and join her father for breakfast. At least there was coffee, and Freddie hung on to her warm mug with both hands and she fended off her father’s good mood. He seemed unusually energetic and she wondered if it had to do with why he was acting so strange the night before.

“More eggs?” he asked. Fred jumped up from the table and bustled around the kitchen like he couldn’t keep still.

Freddie put down her mug and crossed her arms, waiting for her father to confess. He rearranged the dirty dishes in the sink, refreshed his own coffee, and crunched on another strip of bacon before he couldn’t stand it anymore and confessed.

First, he asked the question, “How come you haven’t been checking your email?”

She narrowed her eyes. “How would you know that?”

“It just doesn’t seem like a healthy thing to do,” her father insisted.

Freddie tightened her arms over her stomach. “Everyone I want to hear from is here in Isabel.”

“Are you sure?” Her father sat down and scooted his chair close to her. “Because I happened to look on your laptop and I saw an email from that choreographer.”

“You happened to look on my closed laptop and open my email?” Freddie glared at her father. “I know I’m a grown woman living back in my childhood room, but I thought there’d at least be some privacy!”

“He wants you to come back. There’s an open spot in the dance troupe, and he thinks that you would be the perfect fit.” Her father hoped his news would trump the fact that he had snooped around.

Freddie blinked, and her arms loosened a little bit. “Really?”

“I told you that dance troupe would realize their mistake!” 

She couldn’t help but feel a little bit pleased. Then her heart sank. San Francisco felt like a million miles away and, unlike the old-fashioned song, her heart seemed firmly rooted in Texas. But, how could she turn down such an opportunity when she had no real prospects in her hometown? Everyone would think she was a coward or a burn-out or assume that she didn’t have what it took to keep her talent alive.

Her father was staring at her. “Why don’t you look happy?”

Freddie felt tears swim in her eyes. “Do you think dance was just a way for me to distract myself from missing Mom?”

He caught her hand and squeezed in between both his palms. “Maybe it started that way, but you have real talent.”

“Does talent mean that’s the only path I should follow?” Freddie asked.

Her father was puzzled. “It was a lifelong dream. You were crushed when you didn’t make the cut. Sure, you came back here and made the best of things but, given the chance, you don’t have to pretend anymore. What if that stubborn cowboy firing you turns out to be the best thing that ever happened to you?”

Drake. Freddie squeezed her eyes shut. The first time they met, he had mocked her big-city dreams. Now she had a chance to prove him wrong, and the only thing she wanted was the chance he could forgive her.

“I don’t hate it here,” Freddie told her father. 

“But can your dreams come true here?” He patted her hand. “I think you’re stuck and you need to pull yourself up and take some chances again. In fact, you have a big chance coming your way tomorrow.”

“What are you talking about?” she murmured.

“Well, ah, I might have done more than just read your email,” her father confessed.

She groaned. “What if I’m not up to taking any chances right now?”

Freddie pried her hand loose. Her heart longed to march right up to the Victorian house and bang on the door. She would make Drake stand there and tell her she could never be forgiven. Without that chance being slammed shut in her face, Freddie felt certain she couldn’t pursue anything else.

But her father had other plans. “I wrote your choreographer back and told him you’d love to answer their conference call tomorrow morning. The director and I don’t know who all else would love to talk to you about rejoining for the fall show.”

Fall show. Freddie blinked in shock. She would have just enough time to join summer rehearsals and learn the dances before the show went live on stage. By autumn, she could be living her dream dancing in front of live audiences, sharing the talent that had seen her through so much.

Her father looked so hopeful that he’d done the right thing, and Freddie couldn’t convince herself that it wasn’t for the best. So, all she could do was thank him and prepare to face her fate the next morning.

CHAPTER 16

***DRAKE***

“Shouldn’t I be setting the table?” Teddy’s stern little face peered at Drake from the kitchen door. 

“Not tonight,” Drake told him. “I’m tired and I don’t think we need to be fancy. How about we just eat at the counter.”

“We should eat dinner at the table!” Teddy stamped his foot.

Drake gritted his teeth. “I thought you liked sitting on the stools.”

“I like setting the table. That’s how you earn extra dessert.”

A cloud of exhaustion settled over Drake. He hadn’t even thought of dessert. Wasn’t it enough that he’d scrounged up a box of pasta and found a can of tomato sauce? He promised himself he’d buy more pre-made meals the next time he was at the store, but when would he have a chance to grocery shop?

Teddy noticed his bleak expression. “There isn’t even dessert? Then I’m not eating!”

“Yes, you are.” Drake’s threatening voice was answered by footsteps stomping upstairs. Seconds later, a door slammed.

It had been a long day for both of them, and an unappetizing dinner seemed to be the last straw. Drake broke down and picked up the phone. Minutes later, the pizza order was placed; he’d even paid extra for brownies. At least he could use the possibility of dessert to lure Teddy from his room.

Drake found his son ready to pounce as soon as he knocked on his door.

“Freddie always asked me to set the table! We always ate in the dining room!” Teddy’s eyes were angry but his cheeks were tear-streaked.

“Pizza will be here in fifteen minutes, plenty of time for you to set the table.” The mention of her name just added to their misery. It was hard not to think how much easier it would be if Freddie was there. “I ordered brownies, so you better earn one.”

Teddy nodded, somewhat appeased. Then Drake remembered the other reason today had been so exhausting. “Though we better talk about what happened at school before you think you’re getting dessert.”

The principal had actually called Drake, both surprised that they needed to discuss an incident involving Teddy. He’d fought with another student about who was first in line and the other student had fallen. Teddy said it was an accident, but he might have pushed the other little boy. 

“It was an accident!” Teddy howled.

Drake followed the stomping six-year-old back down to the dining room. “Even if it was an accident, you need to say you’re sorry.”

Teddy glared at him. “What if you do and the other person doesn’t say okay? What if they just go on being mad and everything is ruined?”

Dinner was tense despite the delicious pizza and the promise of brownies.

Drake was relieved when bedtime came and he managed to get Teddy through his routine without any other blow-ups. He went to bed himself shortly afterward but found he couldn’t sleep. His son’s words echoed in his head and, every time Drake closed his eyes, all he could see was Freddie’s distraught face as he fired her.

Finally, he got up and went to check on his son. After the near-miss, Drake had paced down the hallway just to watch Teddy sleep about three times a night. Now, he just stood in the doorway and listened to him breathe. Soft moonlight filtered in the window, and Drake remembered watching Freddie sit there with his son. She had helped Teddy see all the wonderful parts of Isabel from his window, and Drake had hired her to help make Isabel Teddy’s home.

So, why did he want to pull up their roots now and leave?

It just didn’t look like a loving home without her.

The truth kept Drake from sleeping the rest of the night. He was groggy, and getting Teddy prepared for school felt like a Herculean task. Teddy complained about too much milk on his cereal, not being able to find his favorite shirt, and facing the prospect of leftover pizza as his after-school snack.

“Can’t you make me something healthy?” Teddy whined.

Drake put a trip to the grocery store on the long list of things he had to get done that day. First, he had to make it through finding Teddy’s backpack and finishing the homework they’d missed doing after dinner. If he made sure his son had done the right thing, Drake had to hold himself to the same standard. He struggled through the drive, knowing he owed Freddie an apology, knowing it was his fault they both missed her so much. Was every day going to hurt this much without her?

He said goodbye to his son, glanced at his watch, and gritted his teeth. Drake had just enough time to swallow his pride and see her. If he hurried, no one would miss him at the ranch and he would have a slim chance of putting his life back together. If not, Freddie would easily find out she was better off without his grumpiness and leave forever.

Finally, he dropped his son off at the elementary school and took a moment to glance at his watch. There was still time. If he hurried, no one would miss him at the ranch.

He drove too fast to Fred Dover’s homestead and pulled into the bumpy dirt driveway before worrying that it was too early for visitors. Luckily, he spotted the garage door open and signs that the occupant was already awake and tinkering. His hunch was answered when Freddie’s father appeared in the garage doorway, an oil rag in his hands.

Drake was barely able to get out of his truck before Fred blocked his way. “Good morning?” he tried for a polite greeting.

“Is it?” Fred Dover counted. “Seems like it’s better for some. Can I help you?”

“I would like to speak to your daughter. Is she home?”

Freddie’s father narrowed his eyes. “Seems like you’ve already said more than enough to my daughter.”

“We didn’t, ah, leave things on the best terms. That’s why I would like to speak to her.” Drake tried to take a step towards the house but found himself blocked again.

“She heard you loud and clear, Rolston. What else could you possibly have to say?”

Drake scowled. “I may have...it’s possible...I wasn’t...”

“Thinking straight? Is it possible you shot off your big mouth before you thought? You may have fired the best and most caring young woman in Isabel?” Fred was shorter than Drake but lifted his chin in a blatant challenge.

Hearing Freddie’s father finish his thoughts with the blunt truth cracked Drake’s stubborn pride. He was right, and it was a relief Drake didn’t have to say the words himself. Not yet anyway.

He nodded. “That about sums it up.”

Fred gave a short bark of laughter. “You Rolstons and your stubborn pride. I bet it would about kill you to actually say the words ‘I was wrong.’”

“I was wrong.” Drake said the words so fast he surprised them both. Even more so when the words didn’t stop there. “Freddie didn’t deserve my anger. It was an accident, and I overreacted, and I know I hurt her.”

Fred stepped back to get a better look at Drake. He saw something there that made his eyes go a little wider. “You’re worried you hurt her, eh, boss?”

Drake went still. “It’s hard to think of Freddie as nothing but an employee.”

“How come?” Her father’s gaze was intent.

“She’s also our tenant.” Drake tried to keep it simple, but Fred stared at him, expecting more. “She’s a great volunteer at the elementary school. Dinner isn’t the same without her. She means the world to my son. And, she even managed to make a blind date fun.”

The simple list definitely got away from Drake and it pleased Fred no end. Except for the part about the blind date. “You and my daughter went on a date?”

Drake felt his jaw go slack. Was there something about the Dover family that always made people confess more than they intended? He pulled himself together and gritted his teeth again, but Drake just couldn’t go back to sleepless nights and his son’s misery.

He tried to explain, “The blind date was an accident.”

Fred arched an eyebrow. “Like Teddy getting too close to that fence?”

No, but the kiss sure had kicked him as hard. Drake felt like his stifled words somehow appeared on his face because Fred was watching him with a speculative stare. He tried to stay focused.

“I think we can both agree that accidents happen and that it’s best I discuss this directly with your daughter.”

Fred chuckled. “Now you sound just like your father. So formal, so sure of yourself, even when you’re the one painted into a corner.”

Drake scowled. “Is Freddie home?”

“Sure. Go on in. No need to knock.” Fred grinned and stepped aside.

Drake was glad he followed her father’s instructions and skipped knocking because when he entered the house, he could hear a lively conversation. The last thing he wanted to do was interrupt Freddie talking with her cousin or friends and have them all turn on him as well. He inched towards the small dining room, intending to knock on the doorframe, but then he overheard her words.

“I think I was really just looking for a family, and when things didn’t work out, it made me reassess all my goals.” 

He held his breath. Was Freddie talking about him and Teddy? He felt a wave of relief that he wasn’t the only one that had felt a connection stronger than boss and employer. She really had wanted to be part of their lives, to be the loving influence both he and Teddy had been missing for years. Drake stepped forward eagerly, then caught himself up short.

What if he’d truly ruined their chance? She spoke about reassessing her goals and he realized he didn’t know one thing about her long-term plans. When they’d met, she was still stinging from rejection, but that didn’t mean her big-city dreams had died.

“Well, if dance is still your main goal, then we’d love to welcome you home with open arms,” a male voice told Freddie.

Another voice chimed in. “Our troupe really does think of itself as a little family. Especially when the tour begins and you travel the country together.”

Dance? Troupe? Travel? Drake reeled back a step. He suddenly realized her big-city dreams were not anything to scoff at. Freddie really had gone to San Francisco based on her talent alone, and it sounded like she had the chance to do it all again. 

He peered around the door and spotted Freddie sitting up straight in a scuffed dining room chair as she talked to a computer screen of faces. Why was she having a discussion with the dance troupe that had rejected her? Was she really ready to leave Isabel after one little thing went wrong?

“We know it’s hard to hear you’re out, get all the way home, and then have us call you back, but that’s how dance works. Dysfunctional, like a real family,” the first man joked with Freddie. “The point is you have the talent that we need right now.”

Drake felt foolish. Not only was he eavesdropping, but he was the reason she was thinking about changing jobs again. And he was the one that hadn’t believed she could make a career out of dancing when clearly the people on the computer screen were pleading for her return.

“But you’re in the business of rejecting your so-called family members if someone better comes along,” Freddie countered.

That struck home as Drake thought about his ex-wife and her new, more advantageous engagement. He again couldn’t bring himself to leave.

“Business, family, it’s all part of dance,” another voice told her. “As long as you’re committed to being the best dancer you can possibly be, then you’re ready to join us and take things to the next level.”

“How many dancers from my workshop made it?” Freddie asked, always concerned for others that she cared about.

Another face on her computer screen shrugged. “All that matters is that we have a great group right now, and, after reviewing footage from your rehearsals, we’ve realized you would be the perfect fit.”

“The perfect fit for a whole new group of dancers,” Freddie clarified.

All the voices chimed in to convince her she would love the other dancers, her style fit perfectly, and she had the talent to take the show even higher.

They weren’t really listening to her concerns or offering her the family she had spoken about, but Drake figured that didn’t matter if this was really Freddie’s dream. She had the talent, and now she had the chance; what did she have to lose? It was his fault she didn’t even have a job to keep her in Isabel.

He quietly turned and headed back outside. On the back steps, Drake realized he’d never thought through actually firing Freddie. Part of him had always expected she would show up the next day—she lived in their in-law suite, for goodness sake! Part of him had also always thought she would march up the porch steps and tell him he was wrong. Freddie had that fire inside her, but she’d always kept it under control because he was her boss. 

Somehow, Drake had always assumed they would have a connection even after he severed their business relationship. Now he realized he had cut those ties with her and was still attached. Except Freddie wasn’t. She was free to go back to San Francisco and join her dance troupe, and he would be the only one to feel the tug on his heartstrings.

“Out so soon?” Fred asked. “That must have been a good apology.”

Drake frowned. “I didn’t even get a chance to talk to her. Why didn’t you tell me she was on a conference call?”

Freddie’s father puffed up his chest. “She’s not without prospects.”

“She doesn’t need me or the nanny job,” Drake stated the obvious.

“Now, I didn’t say anything about you or your son.” Fred considered him closely again. “In fact, I think you should go back in there and interrupt her little talk with that choreographer.”

Drake shook his head. “Freddie doesn’t deserve someone trying to get in her way.”

“True.” Her father looked conflicted. “But don’t you think she deserves to know her options?”

Drake snorted. “Option A: stay in Isabel and work as a nanny to a surly cowboy and his six-year-old. Option B: go to San Francisco, follow a lifetime dream, and dance on the stage for adoring audiences.”

“I think she deserves to know how you feel,” Fred insisted.

Not willing to face what her father was suggesting, Drake shook his head. “No. No. In fact, it’s better that she has no idea I came here today. I almost didn’t. I don’t have time for this. I’ve got too much else I’ve got to do.”

He stopped himself from sharing too much again but stayed long enough to get her father’s promise. “Please don’t tell her I was here. Freddie deserves to make a decision for herself. She thinks of other people too much.”

Fred Dover had to agree with that. He didn’t like the idea but, in the end, he also agreed to pretend like Drake had never driven to the homestead that day.

CHAPTER 17

***FREDDIE***

Freddie took her morning coffee out on the front steps of her father’s homestead. It wasn’t the same shady haven as Drake’s beautiful Victorian, but the spring morning was mild and the birds were singing. She sipped at her mug and forced herself to think about anything except that cowboy that kept riding through her mind. 

When she was able to banish Drake’s steel-blue eyes from her thoughts, and when she wasn’t longing to hear Teddy’s excited voice, then she was able to feel a steady hum of contentment. Saying no to the dance troupe was the first time in a very long time Freddie had made a decision purely based on her own feelings. She knew the only person who would be disappointed in her abandoned dance career was herself, and instead of failure Freddie felt freedom. 

Now she was free to admit the cutthroat and constant drive needed to make it as a career dancer did not bring her happiness. Freddie was able to see the true value in her small town and how her work could benefit the people she loved there. Those thoughts brought her peace and a feeling of certainty.

Freddie was where she belonged.

Well, almost.

As much as she loved her father, his home was too small and full of memories for her to live in. Even he couldn’t stay too long where her mother’s memory lived on without her, and he was leaving that afternoon for another long haul.

He joined her on the front steps. “You know I hate leaving you,” he said.

Freddie laid her head on his shoulder. “And you know I love hearing your stories from the road.”

Her father breathed in the moment, so happy to have her close. “It does my heart good to know that you’ll be in Isabel while I’m gone. This town has always been good to you and we love you here.”

Freddie blinked back happy tears. “I love it here too. I’m so glad I’m staying.”

“Really? You have no regrets?”

She reassured her father for the one-hundredth time. “No regrets at all. I told you, dreams change. I wanted a part in a big dance company so I could feel like I was part of a family. Turns out family is really the part I want. And my family is here.”

“A handful of cousins and a father on the road; I sure hope we’re worth it.” Fred squeezed her and dropped a kiss on her head.

“Maybe I’ll talk to my new landlord about getting a cat,” Freddie joked. 

Her father stood up and grinned. He had finally convinced her to let him help with the first and last month’s rent on a new apartment. It was worth every penny for him to see her happy and settled before he headed out on the road. Freddie’s decision to stay, plus a fresh start in a new place, had changed her outlook completely.   

“I’m all set if you want me to help pick up your stuff,” he said.

Freddie shook her head. Facing the guest suite at the Victorian, and the possibility of running into her surly boss, was something she needed to do herself. “There’s not much there and he never had me sign a lease. So, I’m just going to do a quick clean-out and then head to the new place.”

Her father noted that she couldn’t even say his name. “You know, Drake Rolston might surprise you.”

She shook her head again. “He’s busy. I probably won’t see him again.”

Fred chuckled. “Don’t forget you’re choosing a small town. Chances are you’ll run into him sooner rather than later.”

Freddie pressed a hand to her stomach, not willing to admit the idea of seeing him again excited her. There was hurt and hard feelings between them, but something stronger always seemed to sweep over those worries. 

Pushing down those strange emotions, Freddie stood up and hugged her father goodbye. Within minutes, she’d cleaned up the kitchen, grabbed the box of supplies her father had insisted she let him purchase, and packed up the truck. He’d also loaned her his old pickup again and she waved as she drove it out onto the road. 

“Love you! Call soon!”

It was a relief that everything was starting to feel fresh and spring-like because Freddie felt like starting over. She hung on dearly to that feeling as she pulled into the driveway of the Victorian and let herself in the back door to the guest suite. After a painful quarter-hour of gathering up her few belongings, she rolled up her sleeves and got ready to clean.

“Hello? Freddie?”

She whirled around at the sound of the little voice she’d been longing to hear. “Teddy! Don’t worry; it’s just me.”

Teddy ran in the door and threw himself into Freddie’s arms. “I’m so glad you’re home. I missed you!”

Freddie blinked back tears. “I missed you too, little man.”

He saw the small stack of boxes and his bottom lip stuck out. “You’re not staying.”

She had intended to keep her move to herself, but Teddy looked so sad that she gave in immediately. “I’m just moving to a different apartment. Guess what I can see from my kitchen window in the new place?”

Teddy still pouted but looked up at her with curiosity. “What?”

“The front doors of your elementary school.” Freddie beamed at the sweet little boy.

He broke into a relieved grin. “You’re really going to be that close? Yay!”

“That way maybe you can wave to me sometimes and I won’t have to miss you as much,” Freddie told him.

“If you live that close to my school, you might as well work there.”

Freddie laughed at his childish logic. “Wouldn’t that be nice?”

“No, really.” Teddy tugged on her arm, then jumped up and down. “I go to the after-school program now and they are always talking about needing another teacher.”

“Who’s talking?” Freddie couldn’t help but be curious herself.

“The principal and our activity leader. Principal Davis even asked if you were still in Isabel, but I didn’t know.”

“Well, I am, and I’m staying.” Freddie caught herself and was trying to think of how to caution Teddy not to tell his father when the little boy gave another excited cheer.

Teddy’s loud exclamations must have given away his location because a few minutes later, Drake appeared in the back door. “Teddy! I told you not to intrude.”

“He’s not intruding,” Freddie told Drake.

Drake frowned. “He has homework to do.”

Teddy hugged her one more time, tight around the waist, and then scampered out the door. His father watched, mystified by the change in his son’s mood, then turned back to frown at Freddie again.

“I’ll have the place clean in no time. It’ll be like I wasn’t even here,” she told him.

Drake’s frown deepened to a scowl. “I hope he didn’t bother you.”

Freddie let her jaw flap open. “Teddy? Bother me? I missed that boy so much.”

She popped her mouth shut. Drake obviously didn’t know what his son meant to her or he wouldn’t be so stiff. How could she ever have thought there was something between them?

Anxious to be done talking before she said too much, Freddie turned and picked up a rag and spray bottle. She hoped Drake would leave, but he just stood in the back door, his jaw set hard. It was easier to start scrubbing the kitchen counter than to look at him. Just the sight of his boots, his jeans, the tight stretch of his strong shoulders under his blue shirt, had her head spinning. Freddie knew catching a glimpse of his blue eyes would make her feel like she was tumbling over.

“You don’t need to do that,” Drake said. She ignored him, so he repeated himself. “You don’t need to do that. Freddie, stop cleaning.”

She stopped and arched an eyebrow at him. “I don’t want to leave a mess behind.”

Drake snorted. “You should see the rest of the house.”

Her heart tripped. Was he admitting they had struggled in her absence? The thought of Drake and Teddy missing her as much as she missed them had her back to scrubbing like a madwoman.

“Stop,” Drake commanded. “I made a mess out of ending our business arrangement; the last thing I’m going to do is make you clean up this place.”

She threw the spray bottle and rag back in the crate she had brought with her. “Was that an apology?” Freddie asked.

Drake gave a stiff nod and said nothing else.

Freddie took a deep breath, gave the beloved little apartment one more glance, then scooped up a stack of boxes and lumbered towards the back door. Drake stepped aside, then grabbed a stack himself and followed her to her father’s pickup truck. Without a word, they had the guest suite cleaned out and everything packed in the truck in under ten minutes.

“Have a safe flight,” Drake said in a gruff voice.

“Flight?” Freddie popped her mouth closed again before she corrected him.

If Drake assumed she was flying back to the big city, why should she tell him otherwise? For all he knew, he’d sent Teddy back into the house without letting her have a proper goodbye, and now he was standing there like a wooden post. Didn’t he have one splinter of a feeling for her?

“Thanks.” Freddie climbed into the truck and couldn’t resist saying, “See you around.”

As she drove down the block and turned towards Teddy’s school, Freddie noticed Drake had walked all the way to the end of the driveway. He was watching her drive away with his hands shoved deep in his pockets. She didn’t need binoculars to know he was scowling, but why? Why would Drake Rolston look so alone and forlorn when he was the one that had fired her?

Freddie tried not to feel bad, but something about his lone figure tugged at her heartstrings. No. She couldn’t feel sorry for him. It wasn’t like he had apologized. Nodding wasn’t the same as actually saying the words “I’m sorry.” And then he’d packed her up himself!

And it wasn’t as if Drake had offered her the nanny position again. Would she have taken it if he had? Freddie assured herself she would not have. It felt good to know she would never have to work for such a gruff, surly, and sharp-tongued man again. Wouldn’t it be nice to go to work and not be faced with a scowl or a grumbling command? Freddie knew she was better off jobless than dealing with that.

She turned the corner but could not stop the image of Drake from floating to the front of her mind. Freddie pictured him sitting across the table from her at the Road House. He had smiled at her there; they had laughed together. They were clearly better off not being boss and employee.

Freddie felt another strange surge. Now that she wasn’t working for Drake, what would happen when they ran into each other in town? Her father was right: in a small town like Isabel, it wouldn’t take long for them to cross paths again. And Teddy knew she was moving into an apartment only blocks away! In fact, if Drake had gone back inside by now, there was a good chance his son had already spilled the beans.

It was impossible not to wonder if there could be another dinner date. Her mind flew wildly through the possibility: if she stumbled in the crowd at the Road House, would Drake scoop her up again? Would they sit at a scuffed table and smile too much over small talk? How would things end if there were no longer the awkward limits of a work relationship? The thought of an uninterrupted kiss with Drake brought on a tsunami of feelings and she clung to the steering wheel and forced herself back to reality.

Would Drake be happy to know she was still around? Or would he just chalk it up to her failing to reach for her silly, big city dreams?

Feeling shaky, Freddie decided to bypass her new apartment and head straight to The Tack and Feed. Finding a new job was now the top of her to-do list, and she hoped it would keep Drake Rolston off her mind.

Too bad the first words out of her cousin’s mouth were, “So, how did Drake take it? He must have regretted seeing you move out.”

Freddie shook her head and tried not to think or talk about him. “Any good jobs on the board this week?”

“Did you two not even talk?” Alessa couldn’t let the subject drop. “He knows he owes you an apology.”

“I heard they might be looking for help over at the after-school program,” Freddie steered the conversation back on course.

“You heard from whom?” Alessa asked.

Freddie narrowed her eyes at her nosy cousin. “A little birdie. But, seriously, what do you think? Would I be a good fit for the after-school program?”

Alessa crossed her arms over her chest and considered Freddie from forehead to feet. “I think maybe. God knows you made a great impression on the principal during the bake sale.”

“Please, Alessa. Will you help me get an interview?”

“Well, at least we know Teddy will write you a good reference letter,” Alessa joked. Then she gave in. “Of course I’ll help you. Now you are having an apartment-warming party tonight, right?”

“If you count putting away towels and toiletries and organizing the kitchen as a party, then yes,” Freddie told her with a grin.

“Compared to a regular weeknight here in Isabel, that does sound like a party.” Alessa nudged her cousin. “Are you sure you aren’t going to be missing the big city?”

As shaky as the run-in with Drake had left her, that was one thing Freddie was certain about. “I am so happy I decided to stay. Now, unless you’re going to find me a job here at the store, I suggest you start working your contacts at the school.”

Focusing on such a good job possibility kept Freddie from daydreaming about Drake the rest of the afternoon. She headed to her new apartment and took her time unpacking. True, it didn’t have the same charm as the guest suite, but Freddie was happy to have a place to call her own. The next time she ran into Drake Rolston, she would be standing on her own two feet and not need anything from him.

Humming to herself, Freddie cooked her own favorite meal in her new kitchen and danced to the door when Alessa arrived. 

“Good news,” her cousin barged in with a big grin. “It’s true about the after-school program needing another teacher. Call the principal tomorrow and I guarantee you’ll get an interview!”

Freddie hugged her, and in that moment, she couldn’t help but think maybe, just maybe, this could be a fresh start to mend her broken heart.

CHAPTER 18

***DRAKE***

“I thought you would be griping about me showing up unannounced.” Theo stood on the front porch eyeing his younger brother.

Drake glanced over his shoulder at a passing pickup truck. “I don’t feel like griping.”

Theo took off his hat and looked closer at Drake. “How worried should I be?”

“I’m fine.” Drake pulled his attention back to his older brother. It wasn’t her truck anyway. “Let me guess: you’re here to drag me out to the hospitality ranch to make amends with Sutton.”

“Make amends, throw a few more punches, I don’t really care. Sutton’s not answering his phone and I’m not heading out there by myself,” Theo said. He slapped his hat back on his head and led the way to his truck.

Drake called Teddy, who galloped out the front door and ran into his uncle’s arms. “Hello, my namesake!”

Theo grinned. “Hi there, T Junior. How are you?”

“Great!” Teddy wriggled free and climbed into the backseat.

Theo pulled open the driver’s side door and watched Drake locking the front door of the Victorian. “And how’s your father?”

“I dunno, fine, I guess. We saw Freddie a few days ago,” Teddy told Theo.

Theo nodded and climbed into the driver’s seat. “I figured something like that might have taken the edge off.”

Drake got into the truck, checked that Teddy was seat-belted in, and settled back with a short sigh. “Hope Sutton’s all right.”

“If he’s anything like you, I’m calling Dean,” Theo said.

“What’s wrong with me?” Drake demanded, though there wasn’t much force behind it.

“Exactly. What is wrong with you? Teddy says you’ve been this way since his nanny moved out.” Theo headed towards the hospitality ranch but kept one eye on Drake.

Drake shrugged. “Freddie flew back to San Francisco to join that dance troupe.”

Theo raised both eyebrows. “She did? That’s news to me.”

He glanced in the mirror to see how his nephew was taking it and spotted Teddy holding one finger to his lips. Obviously, Drake had not heard the town gossip they had, and he wasn’t anxious to share it with his father. Uncle and nephew nodded at each other and kept quiet.

Sutton, on the other hand, was not quiet when they arrived. He yelled down from the wide front porch, “Come to drive me out too, Drake?”

Drake sighed and sauntered right to the bottom of the steps. “What are you grouching about?”

“Oh, now I’m the grouchy one?” Sutton paced back and forth with stomping steps.

Theo stood back by the truck with Teddy. “Is it just me or have they switched personalities?”

Teddy giggled. “I’ve heard them both get called grumpy.”

Drake glared at the peanut gallery and then climbed the steps to confront Sutton. “What’s got you all sore?”

Sutton stomped up toe to toe with Drake. “Bethany’s gone back home and it’s all your fault. You and your overreactions!”

“I’m not overreacting now,” Drake pointed out in an irritatingly calm tone. “How about you invite us in?”

“I’m no host. Bethany knew how to do all that, but she’s not here.”

Drake held up both hands. “And it wasn’t your temper that scared her off?”

Sutton balled his hands into fists. “If you hadn’t fired Freddie and shot down the riding school idea, she might have found a place here.”

The fight seemed to suddenly drain out of Sutton and he flopped into one of the refurbished Adirondack chairs that stood scattered around the wide front porch of the hotel. Drake perched on the arm of one next to him and scrubbed his chin thoughtfully.

“So, Bethany was going to stay and help with the hotel and riding school?”

Sutton rubbed a hand over his forehead. “She wasn’t just here for a visit. Bethany’s been trying to break out from under her father’s thumb, and she was hoping I could give her a safe place to work and live while she figured things out.”

“And you thought you could take advantage of her marketing skills and hostessing talent to get the hotel off the ground,” Drake finished for him.

“You really think I’m so mercenary?” Sutton looked pained. “It was great having her here. God knows, it was nice knowing someone was on my side.”

A flash of sympathy went through Drake and he turned away. His gaze fell on the stable and he jumped to any other subject. “I suppose I should take Nova off your hands then.”

“Did she take Nova with her?” Teddy piped up.

Sutton sat up and waved at his nephew. “No, Nova’s still here. And she’s staying. You want to go and visit her?”

Everyone froze, including Teddy, who stared wide-eyed at his father. “Could I?” he finally worked up the courage to ask.

Drake looked at everyone in turn and almost laughed; they stared at him like a volcano might spout from his head. “Sure. Just take your Uncle Theo with you. And be safe.”

Teddy took off at a run, not thinking twice about his father’s change of heart. Theo tipped his hat at Drake, then rushed after his nephew. Sutton continued to stare at him as he stood up. They both turned and stared over the porch railings down to the stable. 

Finally, Sutton cleared his throat. “You want to go see how your son is getting on?”

“Yup.” Drake tried not to hurry down the steps. 

They found Teddy feeding Nova an apple and talking a mile a minute to Theo about how to greet a horse.

Sutton grouched, “What’s he got to be so happy about? Thought he was missing Freddie.”

Drake scratched his chin. “Come to think of it, I don’t know. He’s been this cheerful for days now.”

“Theo told me you were both dragging around like drowned puppies,” Sutton said.

Drake couldn’t deny he’d felt that way. “Couple of days ago, he came home from school all smiles.”

Sutton called out to Teddy, “So, what’s been going on at school these days?”

Teddy gulped, then looked back at the horse as if she could advise him. “Uh, nothing?”

“Definitely something,” both Sutton and Drake agreed.

Theo jumped in. “Doesn’t he handle Nova like a champ? Think maybe we could saddle up and walk her around the paddock?”

“I’ll go get her brush!” Teddy jumped down and scampered off. When he reappeared and noticed all the older Rolstons staring at him, he realized he’d given himself away. 

Drake knelt down and faced his son with a stern look. “Either tell me what’s up at school or explain how you know where Nova’s brush is kept.”

Teddy gulped, weighed his options, then pointed at Sutton. “Bethany did it! She offered to teach Freddie and I to ride. And I was really good at it!”

“Bethany taught you?” Sutton blinked, in a daze.

Drake did not notice his brother’s confusion and whirled on him with fists tightening. “You used my son as the guinea pig for your riding school ideas? Without my permission? No, against my express wishes that he be kept away from horses?”

Theo scooped up Teddy. “Why don’t we walk Nova out to the paddock and saddle her up there.”

Sutton turned to his brother and, knowing it was a lost cause, tried to tell him anyway, “I didn’t know anything about it. I thought Bethany just wanted Nova here like a pet.”

“Like a pet?” Drake thought he might explode. All the feelings that had fizzled out when Freddie left ignited again. “How many times are you going to go behind my back? Still trying to stick a knife in it?”

“What? No!” Sutton started to come to his own defense. “When are you going to stop accusing me of doing something wrong when I’ve never betrayed you?”

“No? Then how would you feel if I decided Bethany’s father was my new business partner?” Drake poked Sutton in the chest. “Because that’s how it felt when you choose to follow Bethany and my ex instead of checking in on me.”

“You’re back to talking about the divorce?” Sutton’s scowl matched his brother’s. “What did you want me to do? Stay and hold your hand? The divorce was inevitable; everyone knew Jane wasn’t right for you.”

“But the Grants were better for you than the Rolstons, so you packed up and took off.” Drake spat on the stable floor. “Just like my ex, you were looking to upgrade.”

Sutton stepped back. “Is that what you really think? You think I followed Bethany because I wanted to worm my way into their social circle?”

“What else was I supposed to think?” Drake demanded.

“She’s my best friend! Having Jane back home meant Bethany was trapped. You have no idea how much she hates that life. I went there to help her.” Sutton shook his head. “But, that’s not what this is about!”

“No,” Drake growled. “This is about you going behind my back and making your own decisions about my son’s safety, just like Freddie.”

“‘Oh!” Sutton let out a crazed laugh. “This is about Freddie, but it has nothing to do with your son’s safety. Your son is fine. I’ve never seen him handle a horse or ride, but I bet right now he’s better than you were at his age.”

“What?” Drake couldn’t believe his brother’s daring.

“You were reckless. Riding came to you so naturally, you took it for granted. Teddy’s smart, cautious, and bet he’ll ride rings around you.”

“Now you’re just trying to get me to fight you,” Drake snarled. “Why don’t you leave my son out of this and tell me why you’re really jonesing for me to beat you again.”

Sutton shoved Drake back at step. “Because you’re the one that drove Bethany back home where she’s going to be miserable.”

“I drove her to leave?” Drake scoffed. “Again, you think it might have had anything to do with your bad temper?”

Sutton snarled this time, “She saw what you did to Freddie. She heard all about the fight. Why would she want to stay and try to start a riding school with you as some kind of surly overlord? I bet Freddie told her plenty about what kind of boss you are.”

Had he always been terrible to Freddie? Drake’s arms dropped to his sides. He knew he sounded gruff and his manners were often a second thought, but had he been cruel to her?

“Maybe overreacting runs in the Rolston family,” Drake said. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so pouty about your playmate running home to daddy.”

Sutton balled his hands into fists and squeezed them hard. The brothers spent so much time purposefully misunderstanding each other and poking at each others’ sore spots, it was driving him to the edge.

“You don’t even know Bethany!” Sutton pointed out.

“All I know is that you’re still a self-centered child. Here you are blaming all this on me, but did you ever try to see it from my perspective? Or did you only notice that your plans got a wrench thrown into them?” Drake needed his brother to see how selfish he was, otherwise, they would never be able to work together. He needed someone to be on his side. 

Sutton scowled and forced himself to shake out his tight fists. “I’m sorry you had a scare with Teddy. I love that kid.”

“Anything else?” Drake stuck his chin out and taunted Sutton. 

“I’m not sorry about your divorce; you two were never right for each other,” Sutton snarled, pushed too far. “I’m sorry you screwed things up with Freddie because she was really great for you.”

Drake reeled back a step as if he’d caught a punch straight in the middle of his chest. He wheezed. “What do you mean she was great for me?”

Sutton laughed loudly, all tension suddenly gone from his body. “Come on; you didn’t see it? Back me up, Theo; we all saw it, right?”

Theo had peeked in the doorway to make sure his youngest brothers hadn’t killed each other. “Freddie was great for you. And Teddy.”

He turned his attention back to the paddock just as Teddy trotted by on Nova. 

“Way to go, kid!” Sutton rushed to the stable door to cheer on his nephew. 

Drake leaned over and braced his hands on his knees. Had Sutton knocked the wind out of him or was there something else wrong with his chest? He tried to catch his breath. His brothers thought Freddie was good for him?

“You mean she was a good nanny.” He joined them at the stable door.

Theo snorted. “No. She was a good match for you. Ben Summers had it right when he set you up on that blind date.”

“Ben Summers,” Sutton snorted. “Who knew he’d turn out to be a good matchmaker?”

“We’re a good match?”

Theo pointed to the little boy on a horse. “You’re a good match, and that boy is a great rider.”

Drake blinked and finally registered what he was seeing. Teddy guided Nova around the paddock at a graceful trot and had no problem pulling her to a stop in front of them. He grinned at his father, then coaxed the horse back into a walk.

“See? I told you I could do it,” Teddy called over his shoulder.

For a moment, all Drake saw was the freedom and wonder he had felt as a child. Every time he climbed on a horse as a kid, Drake had felt that all was right in his world. He saw that now in Teddy and the realization cracked his heart wide open. Teddy was born to be a rancher and to ride, just like he had been. The same feeling of rightness, contentment, came over Drake.

And it was all because of Freddie. She was the one that pushed back against all his short-sighted proclamations. She was the one that had found a way to get Teddy his dearest wish and make it real.

 He watched in awe, then turned to Sutton. “Seems like Bethany is a really good riding teacher.”

Sutton looked Drake in the eyes. “She never told me about the lessons. I wouldn’t have gone behind your back.”

“Well, how about you go with my blessing and invite Bethany back to the ranch?” Drake asked. 

“Really?” Sutton stood up straighter.

“No other reason to ask her here,” Theo commented drily.

They both ignored him and took each other’s measure.

“You serious about staying in Isabel and learning to run the hotel?” Drake asked.

Sutton nodded. “You’ll sign on for the riding school? You really want to go into business with me?”

Drake nodded at Teddy, who was trotting Nova around again. “I have no choice but to make it a legitimate business because my son’s your first customer.”

They shook hands, and Theo broke into applause. “Thank god that’s over. Too bad neither of you got a black eye. I would have loved explaining that to Dean.”

Drake frowned at their older brother. “What do you have to be so happy about? Sutton and I just beat you and Dean to the finish line. When are you two going to sort out the requirements of your inheritance?”

Theo rolled his eyes at the thought, then went back to grinning. “I’m happy because I know something you don’t know.”

“What?” both Sutton and Drake demanded in unison.

Theo thought about prolonging their agony, but went for the simple gut-punch of the truth. “Teddy’s happy because there’s a new teacher in his after school program. Freddie started working there a few days ago. She never left town; she just moved to a new apartment a few blocks from your house.”

Sutton laughed, but Drake couldn’t say a thing; this time, the air really had gone out of his lungs and left him speechless.

CHAPTER 19

***FREDDIE***

A few weeks later, Alessa was back in Freddie’s apartment kitchen, helping herself to a glass of sweet tea. “Your place is so perfect. Who knew a little peel n’ stick wallpaper could make things look so great?”

Freddie laughed. “It wasn’t easy, but now the place really feels like my own.”

Her new apartment had been a blank slate, missing all the built-in charm of the guest suite at Drake’s Victorian, but she had done everything she could to personalize it. Posters and photographs covered the white walls with bright splashes of color. Old-fashioned handheld mirrors, scavenged from the second-hand store, were scattered throughout the frames and brought more light and space to the small apartment. The kitchen had a bright patterned wallpaper, and Freddie’s scant furniture was covered with funky quilts or bold-colored throw pillows.

Alessa took a big sip and smacked her lips. “All right, I’m ready. Let’s do this.” She led the way to Freddie’s sunny bedroom and settled herself on the window seat.

“What if I’m not ready?” Freddie asked. Then she shook her head. “Alessa, I’m really not ready.”

“Impossible,” her cousin said. “You have a closet full of cute clothes. The spring weather is warm; let’s see some sundresses!”

Freddie groaned and dragged herself to her closet. “I really should be planning out my dance lessons. So many kids signed up for the after-school club!”

Alessa waved her hand. “That’s great, but you’ll have plenty of time for that some other night. Remember, social life is top of your to-do list.”

“I also promised Principal Davis I would help with the spring dance theme. We need to make decorations and pick out refreshments.” Freddie gave her cousin a pleading look. “Volunteering at school should count as a social life.”

“It does not.” Alessa shook her head at Freddie. “You’ve thrown yourself into your work and you’re doing a great job, but you need a break. Your apartment is perfect, so you don’t have that excuse anymore. You don’t have any excuses anymore!”

Freddie yanked open her closet door. “I can’t believe I let you and Ben talk me into another blind date. I must be insane.”

Alessa laughed. “No, not insane. You’re just dragging your heels for some reason. I know it’s a small town, but there are still single men here and it was time you had some fun.”

Freddie dived into her closet, hoping her cousin couldn’t guess the real reason she was dragging her feet. She still hadn’t run into Drake. It seemed impossible they didn’t see each other because Teddy was enrolled in the after-school program where she worked, but Freddie hadn’t run into a single Rolston in weeks. 

“Speaking of small town,” she called casually over her shoulder, “any new gossip worth sharing?”

Alessa paused and took another long sip of her sweet tea. “Nothing exciting. Mr. Jones is considering getting some goats.”

“That’s your idea of gossip?” Freddie threw a few sundresses and skirts on her bed.

“What do you want to know?” her cousin asked.

She wanted to know how Drake was doing. Freddie had overheard Teddy telling his friends that his Uncle Sutton was staying in town and reopening the hotel. Other than that little tidbit, Drake’s son was terrible at sharing information about his family. Now it seemed her cousin was just as bad.

“I heard there’s more work going on out at the hotel,” Freddie coaxed.

Alessa ignored her. “Those won’t work. The steakhouse is the fanciest place in town. What about a little black dress?”

Freddie ground her teeth. “I told you this was a bad idea. I’m not fancy!”

“I know you used to dress up all the time and go out in San Francisco. Why is it any different in Isabel?” Alessa asked.

She didn’t want to dress up and go on a blind date because she still held out hope she would run into Drake. Everyone had told her it was silly to keep her decision to stay from him. Even Alessa had laughed at how their last conversation went. Drake mistakenly thought she was heading to the airport, when really she was driving a few blocks over. He should have heard she was in town by now. Somehow the small town cliche of everyone knowing each other’s business had failed. And Freddie had yet to see him again.

Would it feel different now that he wasn’t her boss and she didn’t have to act as his employee? Would he even notice the difference? Did he even care?

Freddie knew she shouldn’t let it bother her. Her friends were right, and now that she had moved on with her new job and apartment, she should be able to move ahead with her dating life. But all she could do was think about Drake.

She couldn’t stand it and had to ask, “Did Sutton and Drake really sign a business partnership? The whole town’s talking about how they’re one step closer to their inheritance now.”

Alessa shrugged. “The whole town’s talking about it? I haven’t heard much.”

Freddie knew she was being difficult but couldn’t understand why. Maybe Alessa thought she sounded desperate. Freddie cringed as she searched through her closet again. What if her interest in Drake now appeared like she was a gold-digger? With him one step closer to his billion-dollar inheritance, Drake must have women throwing themselves at him. The thought killed her.

“I can’t do this. I don’t have anything to wear.” Freddie dropped her arms.

Alessa set down her glass and brushed her cousin aside. She flipped through the closet and tossed a few possibilities on the bed. “I did hear that Sutton was staying in town. Didn’t Teddy tell you he has been riding Nova almost every day?”

Freddie sighed. “Yes, he talks about it all the time.” She just wished he would mention his father every once in a while.

“I’m glad Sutton is staying. The hotel and horse riding lessons will be great for the town. Don’t you think?” Alessa held up a slinky dark red dress and waggled it at her cousin. “How about this one.”

“How about you get out,” Freddie countered. She grabbed the dress from Alessa and tossed it back in her closet.

“Fine. Then how about matching something with this cute black skirt?” Alessa held up the pencil skirt Freddie had worn on her accidental blind date with Drake.

Her eyes felt itchy and Freddie got grumpy. “You’re terrible at this.”

She pushed Alessa aside and finally settled on a black sundress. The top wasn’t too low-cut, a wide sash cinched it tight at the waist, and the skirt flowed to a ruffle just above her knee caps. Freddie paired it with simple high-heeled sandals and slammed her closet shut.

“That’ll look perfect,” Alessa assured her.

“Think you can pick out some jewelry?” Freddie asked her cousin in a surly tone.

Alessa raised an eyebrow at her. “Sounds like fun. Like a blind date is supposed to be, remember?”

Freddie scowled at Alessa and went into the bathroom to do her make-up. When she caught sight of herself in the mirror, her expression looked just like Drake’s. Hot tears burned the back of her eyes, and Freddie closed the door. 

How was it possible she was still thinking about Drake?

Clearly, things were going well for him. Drake’s ranch would provide the hotel with trained horses for the riding lessons. He would even be able to sell more horses as people learned to care for them and ride them. Like Teddy.

Freddie smoothed on a light layer of foundation and tried not to streak it with tears. 

Teddy was so happy now that his father had decided to teach him to ride. All the reasons Drake had kept him from the ranch had dissolved after her firing. The entire incident had apparently taught Drake the importance of education and he was now fully supportive of Teddy learning to ride. 

She longed to continue her own lessons, but Freddie doubted she could go to the ranch without tearing up like she was doing now.

“You okay in there?” Alessa called through the bathroom door.

Freddie took a deep breath and stopped her tears. She fixed her foundation and even managed to swipe on a little eyeshadow. It was silly for her to feel left out when she had never been a part of High Creek Ranch or the hotel in the first place. She had been nothing but the nanny, and that was over now.

She slipped into the black sundress and opened the door. Alessa leaned against the doorframe as she brushed on mascara and swept her hair up into a loose bun.

“I found these dangly silver earrings. What do you think?” her cousin asked.

“Perfect.” Freddie put them on and was determined to move forward.

She assessed herself in the mirror. The dress fit perfectly yet was airy and comfortable. Her hair was elegant but not too fussy. The earrings sparkled, and when she smiled, her face lit up. 

“You look great, but how do you feel?” Alessa asked.

Freddie took a deep breath. She felt good. After the big set-backs of the last few months, she was in a good place. Freddie had a job she loved; she’d even found a way to work her passion for dance into the after-school activities. She was living on her own in a perfect little apartment. Freddie had even saved enough money to pay her father back for the rent money he loaned her. When she looked at those things, she felt independent, happy, and hopeful.

“Am I really ready to start dating?” she asked Alessa.

“What’s the hold-up?” Alessa asked. “If you wait any longer, men will be busting down your door. Look at you! What a catch.”

Freddie smiled and flipped off the bathroom light. She led the way to the living room, where she double-checked her purse. “You know I never really dated before; dance was always my first choice and I loved it.”

“That doesn’t mean you didn’t think about falling in love,” Alessa pointed out.

Freddie clutched her purse tight. Her cousin was right, she had thought about falling in love, but now she knew it wasn’t something you could plan for. “This is just a blind date,” she reminded herself out loud.

Alessa nodded. “Just for fun. Just to get out there.”

She still had to pull Freddie out the door of her apartment. They decided to walk as the steakhouse was on Main Street. The late spring weather was mild and The Bluebird Cafe was packed as they walked by. 

It reminded Freddie of her new dream and the feeling grounded her. The Bluebird Cafe had been a special place for her and her mother; they went there together every Sunday afternoon. Her mother would be proud to see her walking with her head held high. Freddie knew deep-down what she wanted, and that now gave her confidence.

“Someday, I’ll be sitting in there with my own family,” she told Alessa. 

Her cousin squeezed her arm. “Yes, you will. I’m so glad you came home, and I’m even happier that you realized this is the right place for you.”

“It is,” Freddie smiled. Then she couldn’t help her smile turning to a laugh as Ben Summers ambushed them from The Bluebird Cafe. 

“Off to your blind date? You look wonderful!” Ben puffed out his chest, proud of his role as matchmaker.

Freddie arched an eyebrow at him. “You promise you picked someone more appropriate this time? Last time you set me up with my boss, and it was awkward, to say the least.”

Ben chuckled. “Not only have I found you the most handsome man in Isabel, but I double-checked and he wants to settle down and have a family here, just like you.”

Freddie felt a flutter of excitement. It was wonderful how admitting what she really wanted out of life had opened up so many great opportunities. Still, she wasn’t convinced that Ben could find her a good match. Secretly, her heart was stuck on someone else.

“Well, I’d hate for you to strike out a second time. That would ruin your reputation as a matchmaker,” Freddie told him.

“Just you wait,” Ben told her. “I know you’ll like this guy.”

He waved goodbye and went back to join his family in the cafe. Alessa pulled Freddie across the street, and she could see the steakhouse. 

“Why did he have to pick a place in the center of town?” Freddie complained. “It can’t really be called a blind date if everyone I know is either there or walking by.”

“Call it the small town guarantee: if you and your date don’t make a good match, someone will be sure to tell you,” Alessa joked.

“Very funny.” Freddie hugged Alessa and left her on the sidewalk. She was breathless with nerves but managed to give the maitre’d her name. He ushered her over to the bar, where she ordered sparkling water to settle her nervous stomach.

Freddie tried to focus on her dream: finding her own family and putting down roots in Isabel. She was able to take one sip, then she saw him.

Drake walked in the front door of the steakhouse, his copper-blond hair shining and his skin a golden tan against his crisp white shirt. He wore tailored black pants and a loose bolo tie, looking every inch the successful rancher. Freddie’s heart stopped.

When it started again, her first thought was to run. She couldn’t possibly meet her blind date after seeing Drake; she would be a mess! 

She hopped off her stool in a panic and her heel twisted. A strong arm caught her around the waist, and suddenly, Drake was there. He helped her get her balance back then took it away with a dazzling smile.

“Nice to see you again,” he drawled.

Freddie’s mind went into a tailspin. Of all the hundreds of daydream scenarios she had conjured up about running into Drake again, this wasn’t even a possibility. She had assumed he would stroll into the after-school program one evening and catch her just gathering her things. They would walk out to the parking lot as Teddy chatted happily, and it would feel so natural for them to invite her over for dinner.

Falling into his arms seconds before a blind date was nothing like she had daydreamed. Neither was the muttered, “Oh, you,” she managed to say.

Drake was still too close. “Seems like we’ve run into each other like this before.”

Freddie shrugged, trying to pull herself together. “Except that was a mistake, and you were my boss.”

“Right.” Drake smiled. “Now we’re just two single people and there’s no need for it to be awkward at all.”

The maitre’d approached at that moment with two menus. “Good evening, Mr. Rolston. I’m glad you found your party. Your table is ready.”

He gestured for Freddie to follow him but she couldn’t move. She turned to Drake and asked, “You?”

He nodded. “Hope it’s okay. I’m your date tonight.”

CHAPTER 20

***DRAKE***

Drake held his breath while Freddie looked at him. “Did you set this up?” she asked.

“Your table is ready,” the maitre’d said again. 

Drake was surprised when Freddie moved and it wasn’t towards the door. The entire painful wait between setting up the blind date idea and waiting for her reaction had been absolute torture. After admitting what he really wanted was her all along, Drake could hardly wait to see if she felt the same.

The maitre’d somehow steered them towards their table. Drake meant to tell her everything as soon as they sat down, but Freddie didn’t give him a chance.

“I can’t believe we didn’t run into each other before,” she said breathlessly. “I figured I would see you at Teddy’s school.”

“I wondered why he was adamant that I wait for him at the front doors,” Drake said. He couldn’t stop staring at Freddie. He felt like a man who hadn’t seen the sun in months and now was blinded by it’s warm glow.

“I imagined seeing you at The Tack and Feed.”

Drake nodded. “Like the second time we met, when you found Teddy for me.”

Freddie’s smile brightened even more. “Or at the park under the big trees.”

“Where I ruined our third meeting by assuming you were talking to a tree instead of convincing my son to come down,” Drake said.

“Or maybe on the sidewalk a block or two from your house.”

Drake gave her a rueful look. “Because you didn’t leave for San Francisco, you just moved a few blocks over.”

“Isabel’s a small town; we would have run into each other eventually.” Freddie’s smile turned shy. “So, why did you ask Ben to set us up again?”

It was much more fun to hear how many times Freddie had imagined them running into each other than it was to admit why he needed help seeing her again. “I wasn’t sure you ever wanted to see me again.”

There was a pause, and they both pretended they needed to look over the menus. Their server brought them water, sensed the awkward quiet, and politely gave them a few more minutes before ordering.

Finally, Freddie said, “I can’t believe you thought I could leave so easily.”

“Really?” The corners of Drake’s mouth fell a little. “I realized your big city dreams were the real deal. You’re the one that decided to do a 180.”

Her eyebrow went up a notch. “First, you make fun of me for having big city dreams, then you judge me for realizing my dreams changed?”

Drake frowned. “When did they change?”

Exasperated, Freddie told him, “When I got a job I loved. I realized just how much I loved it when someone fired me. I had a choice, so I looked at what I really wanted and stayed. Why is that so hard to understand?”

“So, it turned out to be a good thing that I fired you,” Drake said.

She clearly wanted to kick him under the table but restrained herself. “I’m just glad it turned into a good thing for Teddy. He tells me you’re continuing his riding lessons.”

“Wait, we’re not done. You’re still explaining your 180,” Drake said. “How was I supposed to know you loved working with kids more than dancing?”

Freddie bit her lip in frustration. “You couldn’t see how much I loved spending time with Teddy? With you?”

Drake went still. He could hear Teddy’s voice reminding him he needed to apologize to Freddie, and here all he’d done was make her more upset. His voice was gruff when he said, “I suppose I should say I’m sorry for firing you.”

Her eyebrow arched all the way up. “Then why doesn’t it sound like you are actually sorry?”

“I don’t want to be your boss,” he practically barked but caught himself and refrained from his usual grumpy demeanor. His voice softened. “I didn’t want to be your boss from the moment I met you, but that was the way you came into my life.”

Relief washed through him like a flash flood as he saw her kind forgiving eyes meet his. “I need you, not as an employee but as you. I felt it from the first moment I saw you, but I didn’t know what those feelings meant. I’ve never known what it felt like to really need someone because they complete my life because I love them.”

Her eyes, still steady on his, were awash with happy tears. “You love me?”

“I love you, and I love your dreams, whatever they are and however they change.” Drake’s eyes burned into hers.

Freddie paused. “Now that’s an apology.”

Drake leaned over the table, and Freddie met him halfway. He grinned as he kissed her right there in the middle of the steakhouse and in front of half of Isabel.

EPILOGUE

***DRAKE***

Right before school ended and summer began, Principal Davis stopped Drake in the middle of the hallway. Like an 80’s sitcom dad, the principal warned him:

“Have a good weekend, but don’t go distracting my best new employee. Not only does Freddie have a handle on every kid in this program, but she’s inspired over half of them to join a dance club. Did you know we might have our very own dance recital in the fall?”

Drake smiled. Freddie had found a way to turn her big-city dreams into inspiration for their small town. “I’ll volunteer as stage manager,” he promised.

Principal Davis let him pass and Teddy greeted him with a wild gallop. “There you are! We’re waiting for Freddie, right?”

Drake scooped up his son and nodded. “Yes, we are. Remember the plan?”

Teddy’s eyes went wide. “It’s happening tonight?”

Freddie appeared in the door of the school and smiled. “There are my cowboys. Ready to go?”

Teddy squirmed to the ground and gave Drake a chance to catch Freddie by the hand. It felt great to stroll all together. “First, we’re heading out to the hotel.”

“Sutton needs some help?” Freddie asked. She squeezed Drake’s hand happily as they walked to the parking lot.

Drake snorted. “Better than that. Nova’s got a few new friends in the stable.”

“Yay!” Teddy galloped around them.

It was easy to hide his nervousness under Teddy’s excitement. Drake listened to his son and Freddie toss around new horse name ideas, while he tried to keep his sweaty hands on the steering wheel. When they arrived at the hotel, Sutton gave him a thumbs up from the front porch. Everything was ready.

“Remember the chores you need to do first,” Drake emphasized the code word to his son as they climbed out of the truck.

Teddy grinned. “Got it!”

Freddie slipped an unsuspecting hand into Drake’s and they walked together into the stable. She stopped in her tracks as the door slid open.

The inside was twinkling with string lights, the floor strewn with fresh wildflowers, and the first stall had a new sign hidden behind a swath of red velvet. “What is all this?”

“This is what I’ve wanted to do from the moment we met on that country road.” Drake took both Freddie’s hands in his and squeezed.

She squeezed back but lost her grip when Teddy led a beautiful white horse into the stable. The flowing white mane was braided with flowers the same as the ones embroidered in the bright blanket that cushioned a new shiny saddle. Teddy handed his father the reins then tugged a small rope that revealed the sign above the stall.

“Clover,” Freddie whispered in awe.

“She was yours from the moment you named her,” Drake said. He handed her the reins, careful to hold them just so.

Freddie gasped. As she took Clover’s lead, she noticed the diamond ring winking at her. It seemed to catch a rainbow from each of the twinkling lights and dazzled her. When her eyes met Drake’s, they were shining with prismatic tears.

He knelt down right there in the stable. “Freddie Dover, you complete our family like no woman has ever done. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

“Say yes, say yes!” Teddy hopped up and down in excitement. Then he saw her emphatic nod and yelled, “Yes!”

Drake slipped the ring on Freddie’s finger, and he knew that from that moment on, his family was truly complete.

* * *

Hope you enjoyed this grumpy single dad happily ever after! If you love reading about billionaire ranch brothers and need a little comedy CLICK HERE to read “Lovesick Cowboy’s Fake Fiancée” from my Rom-Com series! Lane Somerset is in quite a dilemma when his ex-fiancée tries to take his family money, and Lane needs to get hitched to stop her. Who better than his sworn enemy and long-time neighbor Haylie? Click HERE to see if Lane’s worst enemy becomes his saving grace in book 1 of my series “Heartbreak Ranch brothers”.

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About the Author

Hanna Hart is a passionate sweet clean contemporary romance author who has found a love for writing since the age of 6.

Hanna lives in the beautiful Santa Cruz California with her loving husband, two children and dog Milo. Other than dreaming up extremely sweet and romantic stories, Hanna enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, cooking great food, travelling the world, and getting a lot of exercise.

Hanna’s purpose is to deliver very sweet romantic stories to her readers that will touch their hearts in a very meaningful way, taking them to another place that will positively impact their life.

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