“I got sick on the plane.”
That explained her pallor. “I’m sorry about that. Our plane did get bounced around, but we’re on the ground now. Are you thirsty?”
“Not yet.”
Buck got to his feet and turned to the girl’s mother. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes, thank you.”
He guessed that she couldn’t wait to get to the ranch and put her daughter to bed. “Then let’s go. The van’s right outside.”
When they exited the terminal into the darkness, the wind was blowing so fiercely it was a good thing he wasn’t wearing his cowboy hat. He saw lightning flashes followed by thunder. It was going to rain before they reached the ranch. Willy opened the van door to help Jenny and her mother get in. A strong gust caused her skirt to ride up those fabulous legs just as Buck climbed in behind her. Once behind the wheel, Willy pulled away. Two minutes later, the downpour started.
“Where’s that big mountain?” Jenny wanted to know. She rested her head against her mother, who had a protective arm around her. He noticed she squeezed her daughter harder every time there was another clap of thunder.
“The Grand Teton is to the right of us, but with the storm, you won’t be able to see it until tomorrow.”
“I’m scared.”
Willy had turned on the windshield wipers, but it was still hard to see.
“You don’t need to be, Jenny. We’re perfectly safe in the van, and in a few minutes we’ll have you tucked in bed in our cabin. You’ll be as cozy as the red squirrel who lives in a hole in the fir tree near the main ranch house.”
“It’s really red?”
When Buck smiled, Jenny’s mother reciprocated. “Not exactly like your top. More of a burnt-orange-red color. Moppy likes pine nuts.”
“Moppy?” Jenny squealed in delight, her fear forgotten for the moment.
“That’s Carson’s name for her.”
“I want to see her.”
“Tomorrow she’ll be running up and down the tree, chattering her head off. You won’t be able to miss her. She has a huge bushy tail.”
“What if it’s still raining tomorrow and she doesn’t come out?”
“By morning, this storm will be long gone.”
“Promise?”
Buck had checked his smartphone for the weather report before he’d exited the plane. He caught her mother’s eye before he said, “I promise the sun will be out.”
She kissed her daughter’s forehead. “If Mr. Summerhayes made a promise, then you can believe it, sweetheart.”
“Please, call me Buck.”
“That sounds like a horse’s name.”
Jenny’s comment made him laugh and brought on a cough. When it subsided, he said, “A lot of people say that and you’re absolutely right, but I was named Bradford after my great grandfather. My dad nicknamed me Buck because his grandfather liked the Buck Rogers comic books and thought I looked like him.”
“Who was Buck Rogers?”
“A spaceman.”
The girl glanced at her mom. “Have you heard of Buck Rogers?”
“Yes. I loved science fiction growing up.”
Buck had been enjoying their conversation so much, he didn’t realize they’d driven up in front of the guest cabin until Willy turned off the engine.
He leaned toward the two of them. “The worst of the storm has passed. I’ll unlock the cabin door and then you make a run for it so you don’t get too wet. Willy will bring in your luggage. But before we go in, I have to put on an oxygen mask.”
Jenny looked startled. “How come?”
“Because housekeeping has made a fire for you and smoke hurts my lungs. The guys and I have started carrying an oxygen apparatus in all our vehicles because we never know when we’ll need it.” He opened the small locker on the floor and pulled out a mask and canister. “Don’t be scared.”
“I won’t.”
“If my great grandfather saw me now, he’d think I really was Buck Rogers from outer space.” He put on the mask and turned on the oxygen before leaving the van. In a minute, he had the cabin door unlocked.
Jenny and her mother hurried over the threshold into the living room where the glow from the hearth illuminated their faces. Judging by their expressions, they found the cabin welcoming and moved closer to the heat source.
When he and the guys had built the cabins, they’d decided on wood-burning fireplaces for their authenticity.
“Ooh, this feels good, doesn’t it, sweetheart?”
“I wish our house had a fireplace.”
Pleased with their response to their temporary home away from home, Buck helped Willy take the bags into one of the two bedrooms adjoined by a bathroom. “Ladies,” he said as he came back to the living room, “you have all the comforts of home here. There’s a coffeemaker and microwave. The fridge is stocked with drinks and there’s a basket of fruit, along with packets of hot chocolate and snacks on the table. If you’ll look in the closets, there are extra pillows and blankets.”
“This is wonderful,” she exclaimed, looking around at the rest of the room, her eyes landing on the state-of-the-art entertainment center.
“If you need anything, just dial zero on the house phone by your bed and the front desk will let me know, no matter the hour.” He studied his guests. “Is there anything I can get you before I say good-night?”
Jenny stared up at him with a worried expression. “Do you feel okay?”
“I feel fine. Do I look too frightening?”
“No, but I feel bad for you. Where do you live?”
“In the main ranch house. It’s close by, but you couldn’t see it in the storm. I hope your stomach will feel better by morning. We serve breakfast in the big dining room from six to nine. Lunch is from twelve to two and dinner from five to eight.”
“Will you be there?”
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
“That’s good.” Jenny’s quiet response touched him. “Do you have to wear the mask at the ranch house?”
“Only if they make a fire in the big fireplace, which doesn’t happen very often.”
“You’re brave.”
“No.
