can continue to do her job as she sees fit.”
“Thank God for that.”
“We wound up having dinner together although I’m afraid I did most of the talking. She seems pretty nice.”
“Dinner together, huh? You sly dog.” Dylan nudged his arm. “You went on a date with Delta.”
Garrett put a finger to his lips and glanced over at his daughter, who continued to ignore him. “Please,” he whispered. “Kacey’s mad at me enough. And I have absolutely zero interest in pursuing anything with Delta. It was just two people sharing a meal.”
“Okay, okay.” Dylan held up his hands in surrender.
“One question, though. When she left, she said Jake was waiting for her. Who’s Jake?”
“He wasn’t with her today?”
“No.” Garrett hadn’t spent much time with Delta in the stables, but as far as he knew, she was there alone. “Does he work for her?”
“Work for her? No.” His brother laughed. “They, um, live together. I’m sure you’ll meet him soon. When you see one, you usually see the other. Why the curiosity about Jake if there’s nothing between you and Delta?”
“Just wondering.” He hadn’t expected her to have a boyfriend after her comment about Valentine’s Day. Garrett lowered Bryce to the floor. “Run and get your stuff together. I need to get you home and into a bath, then it’s off to bed.” He tried to shake the flip-floppy sensation growing inside him. He was fine two seconds ago. It had to be from the chipotle whiskey. “Kacey, honey, time to go.” Garrett gave Emma a hug as she stood up from the couch. “Thank you for entertaining them tonight. I really appreciate it. I know you have your hands full with Holly.”
“Holly’s been a dream baby so far.” Emma held Garrett’s face between her palms and smiled up at him. “I know this move hasn’t been easy on you or the kids. They’re welcome here anytime. Don’t you ever think twice about it.”
Garrett took her hands in his and gave them a gentle squeeze. “My brother struck gold with you. He’s a lucky man.”
“Holly and I are the lucky ones. We inherited an amazing family.”
“Enough already,” Dylan called out from the kitchen table. “I swear you two are the ones who are related. I’ve never seen two more sentimental people in my entire life. Emma still has the baby hormone thing going on, but you, dear brother...” Dylan’s head tilted questioningly. “That must have been some dinner.”
Garrett ignored his brother’s comment and walked out to bundle the kids into the car. He’d been feeling nostalgic ever since Christmas when he first came home. He had so many memories in this town. Most good. One life-shattering.
He still hadn’t been able to drive past their old family ranch. The place where their father had died at the hands of their brother, Ryder. Shortly after the funeral, their mother sold the ranch and moved to California where she remarried and rebuilt her life. He and Rebecca had left from Saddle Ridge to escape the pain of the past, and years later he’d come back to escape even more pain. His grief emotionally drained him every day. He had to work—to continually stay active to keep his mind occupied and remain strong for his children. He refused to let them down.
Tonight, despite the bittersweet memories of Rebecca, some of the weight had lifted from his shoulders. He’d enjoyed taking time away from the ranch, and being in Delta’s company, even though the tension that still hovered between them. He’d been able to relax for a few short moments, and somehow that new beginning he needed finally seemed possible.
* * *
“THERE’S MY BOY!” Jake ran across the yard and jumped into Delta’s arms. At fifty-five pounds, he was no lightweight, but she didn’t care. He licked the side of her face as his body wriggled against hers. “I missed you, too. Did you have fun today?”
Delta’s Australian shepherd loved ranch life and her clients enjoyed having him around, but twice a week she treated him to BowWowWowzer’s Doggie Daycare where he could be among his own kind. It was her way of giving back to the animal who gave her so much unconditional love and support through the darkest days of her life.
That darkness had come flooding back when Garrett told her about Rebecca. Not that it was ever completely gone, but on most days, she managed to keep those memories neatly tucked away.
“Thanks for taking such good care of him, Anna.” Delta pulled a folded check out of her back pocket and handed it to the daycare’s owner. “I think I was paid up until today. This should cover the rest of January and all of February. If not, let me know next week.”
“No problem. My Sugar and Banjo can’t get enough of him. I swear the three of them together rule the play yard.” A chilly twilight breeze blew between them, causing Anna to pull her jacket tighter across her chest. “The temperature is expected to drop tonight. Why aren’t you wearing a coat?”
Delta glanced down at her flannel-covered arms. “I guess I forgot to put it on. It’s in the truck. I have Jake to keep me warm.”
“Far be it from me to pry, but are you all right? You look kind of pale.”
Delta lifted her gaze to see two sets of blue eyes studying her closely. Jake’s and Anna’s.
“What? No.” Delta hugged Jake closer to her. “I mean yes, I’m fine. I have a lot of work stuff on my mind tonight.”
“If you’re sure that’s all it is. I know Jake’s a good listener but I can lend an ear if you ever need one.”
“I appreciate that. You better get inside before you freeze. I’ll see you soon.”
Delta carried Jake to the truck. He was perfectly fine to walk, but she wasn’t willing to release her hold on him. She needed the comfort only he could provide. Once tucked away in the warmth of the cab, she eased her grip on him, but he refused to budge from her lap. He sensed her hurt and grief and protectively shielded her from the world just as he’d done from day one.
Anna stood watching her from the daycare’s front door. If she didn’t leave now, Delta was certain the woman would knock on her window next. She backed out of the drive and started down the road with Jake plastered to her side. Turning on the radio, she tried to forget her conversation with Garrett. It was impossible when guilt wrapped its icy fingers around her heart. Delta was all too familiar with cancer. She had survived stage IIIb Hodgkin’s lymphoma after it had almost killed her three years ago. That was when Jake had come into her life.
Her father had heard about a litter of puppies from one of his customers. Cute as Jake was, the last thing she’d wanted was an animal to care for. She’d been back living with her parents and couldn’t even take care of herself. But once she looked into the dog’s big blue eyes, her heart had melted. From that point forward, they rarely spent time away from one another. He’d gone with her to the hospital, giving comfort and support not just to her, but to other patients. Once she had kicked cancer’s ass, she worked with Jake to have him become a certified therapy dog. They visited hospitals and nursing homes in Missoula, and still did, whenever she went home. But they’d also continued their routine here in Saddle Ridge.
Jake wasn’t just her dog. He was her best friend and had never let her down.
