He really wanted a family.
Not going to happen without the right woman. And he’d tired of the dating game, because that’s exactly how it felt.
Women had become a convenient date for whatever business or social obligation he had to attend and a warm body in his bed to fulfill his physical needs. Even the sex felt stale, a moment’s distraction. All of it left him empty in more ways than one.
He’d let it happen.
He’d made it happen.
Which is why he’d stopped dating months ago.
He’d really wanted to try with his last girlfriend, but she lived in Silicon Valley and the drive out to the ranch in Carmel and back to Silicon Valley grew to be a chore for both of them. She found excuses to be there while he made it clear his place was at the ranch. The whole thing fizzled out. At least she hadn’t stolen his credit card and racked up a huge bill like the woman he dated before her.
But the thief and the relationship-going-nowhere punctuated Luke’s dating bad luck. So he focused on the ranch, giving himself time to be alone and figure out what he really wanted.
A kind, loving woman who would be a best friend and partner and a house full of happiness and sweet—and a little wild—kids.
Nick turned to him. “Are you watching?”
“I am, buddy. Great job.”
Pride lit Nick’s eyes and he sat up straighter.
It felt damn good to give Nick that sense of accomplishment and be a part of his life if only in a small way. Luke hoped Nick remembered today and how brave and free he felt riding.
“Sit up in the saddle, Jack. You guys are doing great. Wait until your mom sees you.”
“Where is Mommy?” Nick asked.
Luke tried not to let his worry for Sarah overwhelm him. “She’ll be here soon.”
At that moment, Ace sprinted across the road and into the field with Sarah riding bareback low over his neck. Her hair flew out behind her like Ace’s tail. Woman and horse appeared to be in flight.
His heart raced. True fear clamped his lungs tight and stopped his heart. Sarah was a little bit of a thing, and Ace was a huge stallion. If she fell, she could be seriously injured or killed at the speed Ace galloped.
Just when he was about to go after her, Jack called out to him, “Look at Mommy go. I want to ride like that.”
Jack set his feet wide to kick his horse and make her take off, but Luke scolded, “Don’t!” Jack slowly lowered his feet. “It’s dangerous. You could get hurt. Remember the rules we talked about?”
“Yes. No going faster than a walk, or I could fall and hurt myself.”
“That’s right. We’ll have to tell your mommy that when she gets back.” Luke had a few other choice words for her about being reckless with his horse and her life.
His anger simmered, but he continued instructing the boys, watching their progress around the arena. Fifteen minutes later, Ace and Sarah returned from the field and headed for the arena entrance. She trotted in, and although Luke was steaming mad, he couldn’t help but notice Sarah looked magnificent. Flushed from the ride, a huge smile graced her beautiful face for the boys. She matched Ace’s pace to that of the boys and their horses.
“Hi, boys. Having fun? You look like real cowboys.”
“Like Luke?” Jack asked.
“You sure do. Keep practicing, I’m going to talk to him.”
He tried to keep his voice low, but he really wanted to yell. “Are you crazy? That horse could kill you, and you take off bareback on him with no regard for his safety, or yours.”
“You don’t have to snap at me. I’m an experienced rider, and Ace is a great horse.”
“He’s a very expensive horse, and I can’t take the chance that he’ll get hurt with you riding him like a maniac. What the hell were you thinking?”
“Listen, I took care of your horse and exercised out his frustration from the morning. I can see you’re upset, but the horse is fine.”
He kept his concern on the horse because thinking about her being hurt still made his anger and fear rise. “He’s got a bad hoof. Did the doc take care of it?”
“The hoof is fine. Nothing but a stone. You need to fire that terrible vet. Ace doesn’t trust him. I don’t either, for that matter.”
“Is that so?” He didn’t like her telling him what to do on his ranch. But maybe she had a point. He’d been having doubts about the vet’s skills and lack of enthusiasm for his job.
“He doesn’t keep his tools clean, he has no patience with temperamental horses, he’s arrogant, and he lacks common sense when it comes to dealing with irate horses. You should contact Dr. Fields. She works at a ranch I know about. She’s great with horses and is building a reputable list of clients.”
He usually didn’t mind someone making suggestions, but something about her showing up and taking authority of his prized horse and sending him off to babysit rubbed him the wrong way and his mouth ran away with him. “Taking care of Ace for me is one thing, telling me who I should hire and fire is something else. I run this ranch, and I make the decisions. You don’t get to take over just because you feel like it. Maybe that worked with Sean when you took over his life and business, but it won’t work with me.”
The stillness in her unsettled him.
He’d gone too far, and said things he didn’t really mean.
By the look in her eyes, he’d hurt her feelings, but she quickly hid that away and blanked out everything on her face.
She swung her leg over Ace’s back, slid down his side, and landed on the dirt. Her leg gave out, but she caught herself. He thought he saw a flash of pain, but she turned away before he could really tell.
He looked Ace over for any sign he’d been hurt or favored his back leg. The horse looked fine and stared adoringly at Sarah, irritating Luke even more.
She gave him that blank look again. “Thank you for teaching the boys to ride. I’m sorry I missed the lesson, but it appears they’ve learned a lot in a short time. I appreciate your taking the time with them. They’ll never forget it.” With that sincere gratitude, she turned and walked to where the two boys had halted their horses in order to watch their exchange, making him regret raising his voice and talking about Sean in front of them.
“Come down now, boys. It’s time for lunch.”
The boys dismounted just like he taught them, with an assist from Sarah.
Luke wanted to put a stop to this, but didn’t know what to say.
She tied the horses’ reins to the arena fence, grabbed both boys by the hands, and turned them to face him. “Thank Luke for the riding lesson.”
“Thank you, Luke.” Nick looked downright sad about cutting the day short.
“Thank you,” Jack said to the ground, then turned his disappointed gaze to Sarah. “Mom, I thought we were going to see the whole ranch and have lunch with Luke.”
“It’s time to go. No arguments.”
The disappointment on the boys’ faces cut Luke deep.
Before he could say anything else, Sarah turned her back on him, and took the boys with her. He should go after her and apologize for yelling and . . . and what? Being stupid. The truth was he had no idea why he was mad, except that ever since he’d seen her yesterday, he couldn’t stop analyzing his life. And he didn’t like what he was thinking.