“Hey, Mom—it’s fun, huh?”
“It will be when I’ve had a few more lessons.”
Annie kept walking toward Carson. He looked up at Tracy. “Want to go around one more time, pulling on the reins to the right or left?”
“Sure.”
He was sure she didn’t, but she was game.
“This time, give her a nudge with your heels and she’ll go.”
The second she made contact, Annie started out. It surprised Tracy, knocking her off balance, but she righted herself in a hurry.
“If she’s going too fast, pull on the reins and she’ll slow down.”
Little by little she made it around the enclosure, urging the horse in one direction, then another.
“You’re doing great, Mom!”
“You both are. I think that will be all for today.”
Carson signaled Bert to take care of the horses. “Come on, Johnny.” He walked over to help Tracy, but she was too quick for him. She flung her leg over and got down on her own. Whether she did it without thinking or didn’t want help, he didn’t know.
“Are we going for a Jeep ride now?”
“Would you like that, partner?”
“Yes. Then can we come back to see Goldie? I think she’ll miss me.”
Johnny was showing the first signs of a horse lover. Either it was in you, or it wasn’t. “I’m sure she will.”
The three of them got back in the Jeep. For the next hour, he gave them a tour of the property so they could get their bearings. Johnny talked up a storm while a quieter Tracy sat back and took in the sights. As they neared the ranch house, his cell phone rang. The caller ID indicated it was the district ranger for the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
“Excuse me for a minute. I have to take this,” he said to them before answering. “Dave? What’s up?”
“There’s a man-made fire started up on the western edge of the forest bordering your property.”
Carson grimaced. Tourist season always brought on a slew of forest fires.
“I’ve assembled two crews and am asking for any volunteers who can help stamp it out to meet up at the shadow rock trailhead,” Dave continued. “There’s not much wind. I think we can contain it before it spreads.”
Before hanging up, Carson said, “I’ll rustle up as many of the hands as I can and we’ll be there shortly.”
This would happen today, of all days. The hell of it was, with his disease, he didn’t dare help fight the fire. Smoke was his enemy. All he could do was bring help and wear his oxygen apparatus.
Johnny looked at him. “Do you think I can take another ride on Goldie after dinner? I want to turn her in different directions and do stuff with her.”
“I suppose that’s up to your mother.” Carson’s gaze flicked to Tracy. “Did you hear that, Mom? What do you say?”
Tracy heard it. In fact, she heard and saw so many things already, she was starting to experience turmoil. Johnny was eating up all the attention Carson showered on him. It would continue nonstop until next Saturday when they flew home.
With all their own family and work responsibilities, none of Johnny’s uncles could give him this kind of time. Not even Tony had spent every waking hour with their son in the due course of a day. No father did, unless they were on vacation. Even then there were other distractions.
Few fathers had the skills or showed the infinite patience of this ex-marine rancher who seemed to be going above and beyond any expectations. He had to be a dream come true for her son, who’d been emotionally starving for a male role model since Tony’s death.
When she’d accepted the invitation to come to the ranch, she hadn’t realized these former soldiers would spend their own personal time this way. She had assumed the ranch staff would offer activities to entertain them. Period.
This was different.
Carson was different.
By giving Johnny that photo of his father, Carson had formed a bond with her son that wasn’t going to go away. Carson might not see what was happening, but every moment invested for Johnny’s sake increased her son’s interest.
Tracy couldn’t allow that to happen. Before long they’d be leaving this place, never to return. Johnny was still dealing with his father’s death. They didn’t need another crisis after they got home. She had to do something quickly to fix things before he got too attached to this incredible man. Tracy had to acknowledge that, so far, he was incredible, which was exactly what made her so uneasy.
While he’d driven them around the breathtaking property, giving them fruit and water, she’d sat in the back of the Jeep planning what she would say to Carson when she could get him alone. Another lesson at the corral after dinner was not an option.
Tonight after they’d eaten, she and Johnny would watch a movie in their cabin until he fell asleep. Then she’d phone Carson and have an important talk with him. Once he understood her concerns, he would make certain his partners spent equal time with Johnny. By the time he pulled up in front of their cabin to let them out, she felt more relaxed about her decision.
“I kept you longer than planned, but we’re still in time for lunch.”
Johnny looked up at him. “What are you going to have, Carson?”
“I think a grilled cheese sandwich and a salad.”
“Me, too.”
Since when? Tracy mused.
Carson tipped his Stetson. “See you two inside.”
She slid out, not wanting to analyze why what he just did gave her a strange feeling in her tummy, as Johnny was wont to say. “Come on, honey. Don’t forget your mustang.”
To her relief, Carson drove off. “Let’s use the restroom first, then maybe we’ll find some other kids and you can play with them.”
A few minutes later they entered the dining room. Ross was seated at a larger table with some tourists, including a couple of children. He waved her over. “Come and sit with us, Tracy. We’re all going to do some more fishing after we eat and hope you’ll join us.”
Bless you, Ross.
“Johnny? Meet Sam Harris, who’s seven, and Rachel Harris, who’s nine. They’re from Florida. This is Johnny Baretta from Ohio. He’s six.”
“I’m almost seven!”
Tracy smiled. “That’s true. Your birthday is in a month.” He’d be one of the older ones in his class in the fall.
After they sat down, Ross finished introducing her to Monica and Ralph Harris, who were marine biologists. The Tetons had to be a complete change of scenery for them, too.
Soon the waitress came over and took everyone’s order. Carson still hadn’t come. Tracy knew Johnny was looking for him.
Sam, the towheaded boy, glanced at Johnny. “How long are you here for?”
“A week.”
“Same here. Then our parents have to get back to work.”
“Oh.”
“Where’s your dad?” Rachel asked.
Johnny had faced this question many times, but Tracy knew it was always painful for him. “He died in the war.”
“That’s too bad,”