a quick glance over her shoulder, she veered left and gestured for him to follow her to the barn.
They met just inside, out of view. “What’s all the cloak-and-dagger about?”
“Lawrence Peabody is here,” she said, her face flushed.
“Okay.”
“Claims he heard we’re leaving in the morning and stopped to say goodbye. Now, when has that stingy old goat ever given your dad and me a second thought? Huh?”
Mike couldn’t argue there.
“First thing out of his mouth was to ask where you were and what time you’d be back.” She ducked her head to look past him toward the house. “If I were you, I’d climb right back on Dude and take off.”
Mike smiled. The thought had occurred to him. “Maybe it’s not what we think.”
“Of course it is, Michael. Didn’t you hear? He’s expanding his sundry store over in Twin Creeks, and there’s talk he’s buying the old drive-through in Blackfoot Falls and making it into a restaurant. I bet you dollars to doughnuts he wants you to do carpentry work for him.”
“If he asks, I’ll explain I’m too busy.”
She reached up and cradled his left cheek with a motherly hand. “Will you, honey?”
“Winter might be a slow time, but I’ve got a lot of repairs to make around the house and barn.”
“I understand why it’s hard for you to say no to some of these folks. Lord knows what we would’ve done without the money you brought in during those lean years. Most folks could’ve waited to get their repairs done, but they called out of the kindness of their hearts. We both know Lawrence Peabody wasn’t one of them.”
“I haven’t forgotten.” He meant it. Mike felt no obligation to the man who had taken advantage of the Burnetts’ situation.
Like most everyone in the ranching community, Mike and his family had struggled for a while. The recession had hit the whole country hard. But friends and neighbors had really stepped up, hiring him to do anything from minor repairs to remodeling work on kitchens.
Only one person had haggled him down to a ridiculously low price: Lawrence Peabody. So, no, Mike wasn’t about to do any more work for the man.
Ultimately the family and the ranch had survived, and they were doing well now. They’d increased the herd to seven hundred head, which kept him damn busy. In fact, he’d decided to talk to his dad about offering Chip full-time work. They could afford it now and still be able to hire seasonal help.
“Well, I’d better hurry back inside before Lawrence catches on that I warned you.” She started to leave, noticed her house slippers and sighed. “I’ll chase him out in a bit. We still have some packing to do.”
“No need to do anything on my account. I have no problem telling him no. What time are you leaving tomorrow?”
“Before the rooster crows. You know your father.” She took a few steps and stopped. “I’m sorry we’re leaving you here alone for Thanksgiving, Michael. I really—”
“Don’t give it another thought. The cold is getting harder on Dad. I’m glad you’re leaving now.” It seemed like the perfect time to ask if she thought they might do better living in a warmer climate. But the sad smile that lifted the corners of her mouth stopped him.
“You should come to Florida for Christmas. Your sister and the kids miss you. Little Jared is getting so big, you won’t believe it when you see him.”
“Well, I’ve got fences to mend before I can even get to the house repairs—”
“It’s not fair, son.” She blinked, tears bringing a sheen to her eyes. “So much of the burden has rested on your shoulders. But I don’t know what to do about it.”
“Come on, Mom.” He put an arm around her, aware that he’d just gotten his answer. “I wouldn’t want to be anyplace else but right here. I love ranching, you know that.”
“Good thing. I’m just plain too old to have more sons,” she said with that wry sense of humor they shared.
Mike laughed. “Look, about Florida, we’ll see. I just might surprise you.”
“Better yet, I wish you’d find a girl,” she said. “A nice young woman who understands what it means to live on a ranch and work outside come rain or shine.” She squinted at him. “Oh, don’t you give me that look. I know you want that, too.”
He didn’t bother to deny it. Now that things had settled back to normal and he could actually make a decent living, he figured it was time to find the right woman. Didn’t mean he’d hold his breath, though.
The Full Moon Saloon looked like the place to be. Only seven thirty on a weeknight and it was hopping. Mostly locals, from what Savannah could tell as she and Ron searched for a table.
Nina was already sitting at the bar and being chatted up by a cowboy. She didn’t look too put out by the attention, or by the loud jukebox blaring country music several feet from her. Though if it drowned Ron out, Savannah wouldn’t complain. They’d been in town only one day, and she’d had it with him. Maybe it was time for them to have a big public argument so she could call off the engagement. Send him back to Denver without anyone at the motel getting too nosy.
Just thinking of the possibility was enough to cheer her up. In fact, she’d misjudged the scope of the job. They’d never had a small town client before, and it really didn’t require three people. He’d claimed he wanted a shorter assignment. Maybe she could find a way to justify sending him back early.
The place hadn’t grown much. To an isolated teenage girl, Blackfoot Falls had seemed much bigger and more exciting. And maybe it had shone a little brighter years ago. But so many shops on Main Street had closed during the economic crunch. The mayor wanted to give reluctant would-be shop owners a little boost, convince them it was time to take another chance.
“Check it out,” Ron said, nodding at the stage and dance floor. “I wonder if they do the hokey pokey here. I bet they give lessons.”
“Don’t be an ass,” she muttered and then hurried to a table that had just been vacated.
She took the seat that gave her a good view of the bar and then kicked the leg of the other chair so Ron wouldn’t sit too close to her. Of course, he just dragged it closer.
“Sit across from me,” she said, just as the waitress squeezed through behind him. “You’re in the way.”
“We’re supposed to be engaged.”
Savannah glared at him, even though the woman probably hadn’t paid any attention at all. “You need to watch it.”
“Oh, I am.” Grinning, he slid his arm along the back of her chair. “I like that blouse. Did you wear it for me?”
So annoyed with him that
