His Heart to Have (Cowboys of Whispering Winds) (5 page)

Jase looked at Allie for an answer.  For all the talking they’d done, they hadn’t done much planning. There weren’t any precedents for this to guide them in their next steps.

“I’m going to move into Jase’s cabin and we’ll go from there,” Allie answered.

“Are you planning to have any type of ceremony or reception here for your family and friends to celebrate?” Mrs. Tyndale asked.

“We thought later this summer or fall, after the peak tourist season ends,” Allie smoothly replied.

The two mothers pulled Allie aside, bombarding her with questions and suggestions.  She looked back at Jase, and he gave her his best grin. This time she was on her own; her penance for coming up with this scheme. If there was one thing their mothers thrived on planning, it was weddings. Poor Missy hadn’t stood a chance when his mom and Mrs. Tyndale stepped in to help her, since her own mom had ran off before Missy and her dad came to Whispering Winds. Too engrossed of his amusement at Allie’s expense, he failed to notice Mr. Tyndale approach him.

The older man stared him down, making Jase feel like the smaller man, when he stood several inches above Allie’s dad. “I’m not going to lie and say I didn’t wish something different than a Vegas wedding for my daughter.  Every dad dreads the day he walks his daughter down the aisle but it’s an honor to have that privilege, do you understand?”

Jase gulped.  There wasn’t much that intimidated him, but, right now, Allie’s father succeeded in doing just that.  “I’m sorry for taking that privilege away from you, sir,” Jase apologized.  In their hasty walk to the altar, he’d never considered that.  Hell, they hadn’t considered much that night beyond the immediate here and now. 

“Any other man, I’d think less of,” Frank said. “But I know you’re a good man. I know you love Allie and would give your life before letting any harm come to her. As much as I love my daughter, it’s no secret she can be hard to handle, but you’ve always been by her side. I couldn’t handpick a better man for her. Welcome to the family, Son. You have your work cut out for you.”

Jase exhaled, voiding his lungs of the breath he’d been holding.   Round one down, he thought.  “It’s not work when you love someone, but thank you, sir.”

The taut features on Mr. Tyndales face softened. “No more of this sir business.  I’ve always been Mr. Tyndale, but I think just Frank would be fine now.” Frank extended his hand, and Jase firmly shook it.  One obstacle down, but how many more to go?

“You’re up early,” Jase observed, walking out from the bathroom with just a towel wrapped around his waist.

Thank goodness the room was still dark with only the light from the bathroom behind him to illuminate his mostly naked body.   The way their schedules were arranged, Jase was usually showered, dressed and heading out the door by the time Allie woke up, but this morning she’d woken up early and couldn’t fall back asleep.

“I thought I’d head to the main house early. There are several groups arriving today and I want to make sure I have their welcome packets put together with customized activity suggestions.”

“Why are you sitting in the dark?” he questioned.

“The morning was so peaceful, I didn’t want to disturb it with artificial light,” she replied. It was true. She loved sitting in the dark on early mornings. Back at the main house, she’d often have her coffee on the front porch. There was an unmatchable serenity during those early hours. And when the sun began to rise, she felt unconquerable freedom, like anything was possible.

And this morning she needed that.  One week had passed since she’d become Mrs. Allison Loretta Callahan.  She tried not to think of herself like that, lest she becomes too attached to the name. Or more importantly, the man.  Who was she kidding? She was already attached, but in less than three months they’d be ending this marriage, and Jase would be moving to the Triple M.  She’d only see him a few times a year, if that. 

Last night, she’d had a dream that twisted her insides worse than a bucking bronco.  They’d reached the end of their three months.  Jase’s truck was loaded down with his belongings and he’d driven off, down the dusty, gravel road.  She’d chased his truck, screaming that she loved him, that she’d always loved him.  But he didn’t hear her and kept driving, never looking backwards.  She chased him all the way to the Triple M, running so hard her lungs burned, while her legs were on fire.  Finally, his truck stopped when he reached his new home, but she’d collapsed, unable to reach him.  She’d tried calling out to him again, but her voice was hoarse and low from the miles of screaming his name; then, a buxom blonde came out, greeting him with a completely inappropriate kiss.  That’s when she’d woken up, soaked to the bone in a cold sweat.  She’d jumped out of bed and ran to the living room to find Jase, relieved to hear the water in the bathroom running. It had only been a dream.

For the first time, she regretted not just telling her parents the truth.  Was their further disappointment in her really worth this agony?  And that’s what it was.  Living with Jase was a slow, sweet torture. He’d been more than accommodating.  He’d even taken to wearing a shirt when she was there. He left her coffee in the morning. He’d entertained her and listened to her when she needed to talk.  He’d soothed her fears and calmed her nerves.  He’d been perfect.  If only he was truly hers, but Jase was a wild mustang who belonged to no one. To rein him in would be to change his very nature.

Jase flipped the switch, turning the light on.  She hadn’t realized he’d left the room to dress and had returned.  Her eyes squinted, adjusting to the sudden brightness of the room. 

“Sorry Allie Cat, I’ve never been good at feeling my way through the dark,” he told her.

She rolled her eyes. Why did he insist on calling her that nickname? It made her think of a scrawny, annoying pest. He didn’t really see her like that, did he? It was too early in the morning for all these deep thoughts.

“What’s on your agenda today?” she asked him, finding a neutral topic.

“I’ll be working with that new stallion, Lightning, we bought last month. Dad said not to get him, but he was such a beauty at a great price, I couldn’t pass him up. His previous owners said he wouldn’t amount to much, despite his pedigree, because he’s not trainable, but I don’t agree.”

“He’s a beautiful specimen. He’s the stud you want with Cinnamon, right?”

“Yes, once I can get him trained.”  Jase pulled out a frying pan as he talked. “Want some eggs?”

“Sure,” she answered. “They’d make beautiful foals if you can get them together.”  She got up and pulled a loaf of bread from the cabinet.  

“So would we, Allie,”

Her face turned red and she busied herself, making toast. So much for a neutral topic. Not that she couldn’t picture a life together, having his babies; but it was a pointless fantasy. It would never happen. He’d have a whole new crop of willing women at the Triple M and he’d no doubt enjoy their yield. The thought made her an unhealthy shade of envy green.

They ate their breakfast in relative silence until it was time for Jase to leave.  “What do you say we have dinner, here, tonight, instead of the main house with everyone else?” he suggested, standing to take his plate to the sink.

She should say no. Spending time alone with him, especially in such closed quarters, was wreaking havoc on her. “That sounds good. I’ll stop by the kitchen on my way back. If I can catch Cook in a good mood maybe he’ll send some food home with me.”

Jase laughed.  “I don’t know that I’ve ever seen Cook in a good mood, but he does have a soft spot for you.  Maybe you can use it to your advantage to get an apple crisp out of him?”

“I’ll see what I can do.” She smiled, finding herself stuck in a gaze with him. It had been happening quite often in their first week of marriage, but she wouldn’t allow herself to raise her hopes, thinking about what it could mean.

“I’ll see you tonight,” he said. “Have a good day.”  His hand touched her arm as he walked by, burning her skin through the material of her long-sleeved t-shirt.

She watched him walk away, admiring the rear view of his confident gait and leather chaps exposing a firm, denim clad back-side.  By this evening, he’d smell of sweat, leather and horses; the fresh musky soap scent long gone. And she knew which one would cause her insides to melt. Looking at the glow of the stove’s clock, she saw she needed to get busy.  It wasn’t an excuse she gave Jase; she actually did have work to get done before the newest guests arrived.

This morning she chose to walk over to the main lodge.  She’d grown up in that house, lived there since the day she was born.   It was a huge two-story log cabin, separated into three areas that looked out to the Wind River mountain range.  The two ends of the dwelling were the living areas for the Tyndale’s and Callahan’s.  All the space between was dedicated to the hospitality side of the ranch.  Four guest rooms were on the upper level, for the visitors who elected not to stay in one of the smaller cabins scattered through the ranch.  Downstairs contained the front desk, several offices, the commercial size kitchen, dining room, conference room and game room.

Whispering Winds Ranch was in her blood. She loved this place and couldn’t imagine a life outside of it. Her parents had thought her capricious when she’d insisted on going to college only to return a few months later. The truth was, it took going away to make her realize how much the ranch meant to her. Her parent’s had put her in charge of guest relations and she loved her role. Not only did she always get to meet new and interesting people, but she also got to share her love of this land with these people. It was her responsibility to showcase all Whispering Winds had to offer and give each guest their best experience possible.

Granted, it wasn’t always easy.  Last year Mr. Sampson and his wife arrived with their two spoiled children; a grumpier, more demanding family she had never met.  Or when Mrs. Whittle insisted her dog have his own room.  Not to mention fixing the mistakes she’d made along the way.  When her parents first gave her control of guest relations, she’d fouled up big-time. Her parents told her she needed to shape up or lose her position. It took some time to adjust to the responsibility, but that was the one area of her life she did well now.  Except when she double-booked that room for the U.S. Congresswoman.   If Jase hadn’t intervened, well, she didn’t want to think what her parents would have done.  Looking back, she still didn’t know where she had messed up, but she promised herself it wouldn’t happen again.

Inside her office, she put the last touches on the welcome packets.  The season was still early and, even with today’s new arrivals, they wouldn’t be at full capacity.  By the reservations already made, this summer looked promising though.  She’d convinced her parents to invest in a new computer system that stream-lined the reservation process, but also gave them more exposure on the internet.   Just in its first week, they’d seen an increase to their website.   Her inner-child really wanted to go up to her dad and say
“I told you I can do something right.” 
She sighed and leaned back in her chair. One day she’d find a way to make her dad proud of her.

A knock on her door was a welcome interruption.

“Good morning,
sister
,” Lanie Callahan greeted her. “Tell me it’s true.  Did my brother and you really run off and get married?”

“We didn’t exactly run off, but yes,” Allie confirmed. “How’d you hear? We’ve only told our parents so far.”  Some people had probably assumed something was going on if they saw Allie coming and going from Jase’s cabin, but overall nothing had been said.

“Our moms were talking and didn’t realize I’d walked in the room. By the time they saw me, I heard enough to figure it out, but they wouldn’t give me details. So come on girl, tell me what happened,” she demanded lightheartedly.

Lanie’s laughter was contagious.  She was Jase’s older sister and, although she hadn’t been close with her as a child, they’d become good friends since Lanie returned to the Whispering Winds after an ugly divorce.

“There’s not much to tell. We were in Vegas with Missy and Charlie, decided we wanted to get married, so we got married,” Allie told her.

“Oh there’s more than that.  I see the sparkle in your eye and you’re practically glowing.  I’d wager you haven’t had to turn the heater on yet in that cabin,” Lanie insisted. “On second thought, eww, I don’t want to know- for a minute I forgot your new husband is my brother,” she squealed through laughter.

The blush crept up Allie’s neck.  Nothing had happened since the night they married, but the memories still made her flush.  Or maybe it was the growing desire she had for him raising her body temperature. 

“I was a newlywed once,” Lanie said. “No need to be embarrassed.  I’m happy for you guys. If ever two people were meant to be together, it was you and Jase.”

Hadn’t Missy said those exact words back at the hotel?  Maybe someone should clue Jase into that.  “Where’s Cody today?” Allie asked, changing the subject.

“With his dad. There’s no school Monday, so he’s spending the weekend in Rawlins. Jeremy picked him up last night.”