“Any time, partner.”
Over Johnny’s hat her gaze fused with Carson’s. She could tell he was proud of her son. So was she. It was one of those incredible moments. “At this point I feel like we’re actors in a movie on location out West.”
He grinned. “We are out West, but instead of the Ponderosa, our star actor, Johnny Baretta, is headed with his posse for the Teton Valley Ranch on his wonder pony, Goldie!”
Johnny giggled. “You’re so funny, Carson.”
Oh, Carson—you’re so wonderful, it hurts.
During this halcyon moment, they all heard thunder, the kind that could put a crack in those glorious mountains in the far distance. It kept echoing up and down the valley.
“Whoa!” Johnny cried out along with the other kids.
Carson whistled. “Now that’s the kind of thunder that grows hair on a man’s chest.” Johnny burst into uproarious laughter. It set the tone for the ride in, calming any fears the children might have had. Their host turned in the saddle. “First person to reach the corral gets a banana split for lunch!”
“Goody!”
By the time the barn came into view, sheet lightning was illuminating the dark clouds that had settled in over the area. Tracy shot Carson a glance. “I’ve never seen anything so spectacular.”
“During a storm it gets pretty exciting around here.”
Almost as exciting as he was.
The first drops of rain pelted them as they rode into the barn to dismount. Bert came out of his office and helped the children down. Buck smiled at everyone. “Looks like we got home in the nick of time.”
Ralph eyed the children. “I wonder who won?”
“Carson,” all three kids said in unison.
He shook his head. “You were all there right behind me. I say everyone gets a banana split.”
“Hooray!”
While the men removed the saddles and bridles, Johnny walked over to Carson. “Do you think the horses got scared?” Sometimes Tracy marveled over her son’s sensitivity.
“After that first clap of thunder, I think they were a little fidgety, but since we didn’t show any fear, they did fine out there. Tell you what. I’m going to take everyone back to the ranch house in the Jeep. But we’ll have to make two trips. Why don’t you kids come with me first, because I know you’re hungry.”
“Whoopie!”
Tracy watched them follow Carson into the drenching rain. She walked over to Ralph and Monica. This was the perfect time to talk to them in private. “Now we’re alone for a minute, I have something to ask you, but please don’t worry if you don’t feel it’s something you want to do.”
When she told them, Monica’s face lit up. “We were just going to approach you about the same thing. The kids like each other and trust you.”
“Johnny thinks you guys are great, too. This is perfect. I’ll babysit for you tomorrow night.”
“Thank you. We’re dying to go into Jackson and have a little time alone.”
Tracy could relate to that. She gathered the two saddlebags while they waited for Carson’s return. Tonight was going to be a special time with a very special man and she planned to enjoy it to the fullest. After she and Johnny were back in Ohio, it would be a memory she would pull out and relive when the going got tough again. But she didn’t want to think about the tough part right now.
* * *
CARSON HAD ONLY seen Tracy in jeans or a bathing suit. When she opened the cabin door at seven-thirty, he was treated to a vision of a different kind. With her blond hair loose, the champagne-colored skirt and gauzy blouse looked sensational on her. Soft and dreamy. Her high-heeled sandals showed off her shapely legs.
“Carson—” Her hazel eyes played over him longer than usual. “I almost didn’t recognize you in a regular suit minus the boots and hat. I don’t think Johnny would, either.”
“A man has to be civilized around here once in a while. Are you ready?”
“Yes,” she said quietly. “I’ll grab my purse and jacket.”
They left the cabin and he helped her into his Altima. The storm had passed, leaving everything cooler. He loved the smell of the sage after the rain. “Is Johnny all right with this?”
“I wondered about it when I broached the subject this afternoon. When he found out he’d be staying at the Harris’s cabin until I got back, he didn’t exactly mind we were going somewhere without him. Of course, I had to promise I’d come and get him.”
“Of course.” Carson started the engine and drove off. “Since you’ve told me how protective he can be, I guess I wondered if he put up a fuss that I’m taking you out.”
“Are you kidding? The king of the cowboys?”
Her comment removed the bands constricting his lungs. The result was another bout of coughing. “After his nightmare, I worried his father was on his mind.”
“I’m sure he was, subconsciously, but he didn’t mention Tony at all. In fact, he hasn’t talked about him once since our arrival here. That tells me you and your friends have achieved your goal to bring our family some happiness. Today made it evident that my son has come out of his shell. Your goodness and generosity are the sole reason for that. I told Buck the same thing earlier today.”
Carson had noticed the two of them talking as they’d headed back to the ranch. “And what about you, Tracy? Are you enjoying yourself?”
“You know very well that question doesn’t need an answer. I could never imagine myself being with another man again. Yet I found myself saying yes when you invited me out. I thought, why not? If Johnny could get on a small plane and dive-bomb into Jackson Hole, then it was time I took a risk. That should tell you a lot.”
It did, but it wasn’t enough. Patience had never been Carson’s strong suit. “I’m taking you to the Hermitage, a French restaurant I haven’t been to since my return from Maryland. It’s in the Spring Creek Ranch area, a thousand feet above the valley floor.
“The view is superb. I thought you might like a change from authentic Western and enjoy some great French food along with a live band that plays a lot of romantic French songs. On Friday night after the rodeo, I’ll take you and Johnny to a fun place for Western music and line dancing. Everyone gets in on the act in their duds. He’ll be in his element.”
He felt her eyes on him. “Be careful, Carson. You’re spoiling us too much. If you treat all the families who come here at your invitation the way you’re treating me and Johnny, no one will ever want to leave.”
“Can I quote you on that when the time comes?” He pulled up to the crowded restaurant and turned off the engine. Luckily he’d made reservations. Even in the semidarkness, he saw color fill her cheeks.
She looked away. “You know what I meant.”
“My friends and I appreciate the compliment.” Levering himself from the car, he went around to help her out. The place had been built to resemble one of those religious retreats in the French Alps. He ushered her through the heavy wooden doors. The high ceilings and huge picture windows were unexpected and provided a contemporary twist.
“Carson! I couldn’t believe it when I heard you’d made a reservation.” A wiry older man came rushing over to the entry and kissed him on both cheeks. “Are you on leave? I haven’t seen you since your grand-père’s funeral.”
“I’ve left the military, Maurice, and am back for good.”
“That’s the