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“Well, we’re all here now and it’s time to go back to sleep.”
“Mom?”
“Yes?”
“I don’t want to go home.”
Carson’s heart skipped a beat.
“Shh. We’ll talk about it in the morning.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you, honey.”
“Good night, Carson. I love you, too.”
Carson closed his eyes tightly. “The feeling’s mutual, partner. Good night.” What else could he have said that wouldn’t have upset Tracy?
When he’d had thoughts earlier in the day of being in the tent with her, he never dreamed he’d end up here in the middle of the night under these circumstances. In order to prove to her he wouldn’t take advantage of the situation, he waited until he could tell they were asleep, then he crept out of the tent. He found Buck sitting on one of the chairs with his legs propped on another one.
“Go to bed, Buck. I’ll never sleep tonight.”
“Why not, besides the obvious?”
Carson brought him up to speed. “I’m afraid this plan of ours may be backfiring big-time. We were supposed to give them a fun vacation, but now he says he doesn’t want to go home. I know you’re going to say he’ll get over it, but until he does, Tracy’s probably going to wish she’d never come.”
“Speaking of Tracy, what happened out there tonight when you two were alone?”
“I asked her to go dancing with me tomorrow night. She said yes.” The “yes” came out a little louder because he had to cough.
Buck moved his legs to the ground. “You weren’t really surprised, were you?”
“I don’t know. Ever since she got here, I’ve been turned inside out.”
He got to his feet and stretched. “Do you wish she hadn’t come?”
“If this becomes a nightmare for her because of Johnny, then yes. I have no doubt it was his father he was looking for.”
“I’m sure you’re right. It’s only natural. But she chose to accept our invitation. There’s a risk in everything and nothing’s perfect in this imperfect world. You have to know they’ve been having a wonderful time.”
“But at what cost?”
“That’s your old guilt talking, Carson. You’ve got to stop taking on what can’t be helped.”
Buck was right. “I don’t know how to do that.”
“It’s the only flaw I find in you. See you in the morning.”
Chapter Seven (#ulink_028456ac-9375-5a7a-8a03-737a51c63fc1)
“Come on, honey.” Johnny was slow putting on his cowboy boots this morning. “Now that we’ve had breakfast, they’re calling us to pack up.” So far he hadn’t talked about his bad dream last night. That was good, because now wasn’t the time for the serious discussion with him about Carson.
Johnny reached for his cowboy hat and put it on. “Do we have to go back to the ranch today?”
“Yes.” She finished putting his things in the saddlebag.
“But I like it here.”
“There are a lot more fun things we’re going to do. Remember what Buck said while he was cooking our pancakes? Ross is taking us on a hike over in Teton Park. We haven’t been there yet.”
“Why isn’t Carson coming with us?”
“You know why. He has business matters to take care of today.”
“I’d rather stay home and ride Goldie.”
Home?
“You can ride her after dinner. Here. You carry your saddlebag and I’ll bring mine.”
After fastening her hair back with a clip, she opened the tent flap and they joined everyone congregated by the horses. She could hear the men coughing. Carson’s black Stetson stood out as he finished saddling Goldie. He darted her a private glance before his blue gaze fell on Johnny. He took the bag from him and attached it.
“Up you go, partner.” He helped him mount and handed him the reins.
“Who’s going to take down our tents and stuff?”
“Some of my ranch hands. They came yesterday to set everything up for us.”
“Oh.”
“Remember what to do when the other ponies crowd in,” he whispered. Tracy heard that and smiled.
Johnny’s face brightened. “Yup.”
Carson moved to Tracy’s horse, Annie, who was ready to go. In a deft move he fastened Tracy’s saddlebag. While she mounted, he undid the reins and put them in her hands, giving them a little squeeze.
* * *
TRACY HAD BEEN so excited about the date he’d made with her last night, she’d had trouble getting to sleep. When he’d brought Johnny to the tent in the middle of the night, his presence had made it impossible for her to settle back down. With that squeeze just now, she felt breathless.
He mounted his horse with effortless masculine precision. “Is everyone ready?”
“I am!” Sam called out.
“How about you, Rachel?”
“I’ve been ready for a long time.” Her comment produced chuckles from everyone, including her parents.
“Then let’s move out.” Carson sounded like the hero in a Western film. Johnny fell in line right behind him, followed by the other kids, then the parents. Tracy stayed in front of Buck, who brought up the rear. A wagon train without a wagon. She loved it. In fact, she loved it too much. She was as bad as Johnny.
At first when they moved through the forest, she thought it was the trees making it seem darker than usual. But she soon realized clouds had moved in over the Tetons, blotting out the sun’s rays. She felt the temperature drop. The sight of clouds after so many days of sunshine came as a surprise.
She dropped back to ride alongside Buck. “We had blue sky at breakfast. I can’t believe how fast the weather has changed. Do you think there’s going to be a storm?”
He nodded. “This cold front has moved in with more force than I’d anticipated. If it keeps up, we may not be able to go on that hike today.”
Johnny wouldn’t mind that at all. But he wouldn’t like it if he couldn’t go riding. “In that case, it’ll be a good day for the children to play in the game room. A marathon Monopoly session will keep them occupied.”
He laughed. “When we were young, my brothers and I used to play it all night. It drove my parents crazy.”
“Where did you grow up, Buck?”
“Colorado Springs.”
“I’ve heard it’s beautiful there.”
“It is, but I’ve decided nothing beats this place.” A cough followed.
“How long do you plan to stay here?”
He flicked her an enigmatic glance. “If our business venture bears fruit, I’ll build a home here and put down roots.”
“What did you do before you went into the Marines?”
Buck’s eyes got a faraway look. “My dad’s in the construction business. Our family didn’t know anything else.”
“I see.”
There was so much he didn’t say, she heard pain and decided not to question him further. “While I have the chance, I want to thank you for all you’ve done to make this trip possible for Johnny and me. This is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that so few people will ever enjoy. We won’t forget your kindness and generosity for as long as we live.”
“We’re glad you’re having such a good time. It makes everything we’ve done worthwhile, believe me.”
While they’d been talking, they’d come out of the trees into the sagebrush. The track widened. “I’m going to ride up to Johnny and see how he’s doing.”
“Go right ahead. It’s been a pleasure talking to you.”
“For me, too, Buck.”
She spurred her horse on past the others, delighted at the sight of her son moving along so comfortably on Goldie. Before he saw her, she whipped out her phone and took some more pictures of everyone. Carson was right in front of Johnny so he got into the pictures, too, without his knowledge.
As she put her phone away, she noticed the ponies edging up on Goldie. It really was funny how they wanted to be by her. In a minute they’d reached Johnny. She couldn’t wait to see what would happen.
“Hey, Carson—here they come!”
His mentor moved to the side of the track to make room for him. She watched Johnny brace himself before he cried, “Giddyup!” and kicked his heels at the same time. Goldie was a smart little girl and trotted off, leaving the others behind. Sam and Rachel looked totally surprised.
Unable to help herself, Tracy urged her horse forward so she could catch up to her son. Once abreast of him she said, “Well done, cowboy.”
“Did you see that, Mom?” Excitement filled his countenance.
“I sure did.”
By now, Carson had caught up on his other side. “Thanks for teaching me that trick, Carson.”
“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!”
