Josh Read online

  “I do. Especially if the good-looking guy asking about you at Flora’s happens to be an ex-husband.”

  “I’ve never been married.”

  “And the guy?”

  When she remained silent, Josh shrugged. “Okay. Suit yourself.”

  As he turned the key in the ignition and began to drive along Main Street, he watched her out of the corner of his eye. She’d gone somewhere else in her mind.

  A dark place, from the looks of her. And not one she cared to share with him or with anyone.

  At least not yet.

  Sierra Moore looked as though she desperately needed someone to trust. And though he barely knew her, he knew that at least for tonight, he and his family would make her feel not only welcome but safe.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  We’ve been on the road a long time.” Sierra had grown silent, content to drink in the sight of the spectacular scenery, which seemed so foreign to her. Aspen and cottonwood trees and foliage lined the road in every shade of red and orange and gold imaginable. “When do we get to your ranch?”

  “We’ve been on it for the past ten miles. You’ll be seeing the house pretty soon now.”

  “This beautiful land is all yours?”

  He nodded, and found himself seeing it through her eyes. “I guess the vastness of it can be pretty overwhelming if you’re not prepared.”

  “So much land. And all of it so breathtaking. Do you wake up every morning and pinch yourself?”

  That had him laughing. “Actually, most mornings there’s no time for anything except chores. And believe me, when you’re mucking stalls, you’re not thinking about how grand and glorious all those cows are.”

  That had her laughing. “Sorry. Shoveling cow manure is just not an image I wanted to carry in my mind.”

  “I know. You want to see grand mountain peaks covered with snow and cowboys on horses herding cows beneath a spectacular sunrise.”

  “Exactly. And if you’ll find such a scene, I’ll snap it and make a fortune selling it in galleries.”

  “I’d be happy to be one of those cowboys. Right after I finish shoveling the manure. Which reminds me. I’d better warn you.” Josh looked over with a mock-serious frown. “Here in Wyoming, we have an awful lot of cow manure to shovel.”

  “Is that the price I’ll have to pay for room and board?”

  “Absolutely. All our guests are expected to lend a hand with ranch chores.” That sexy grin was back on his lips. “I should also warn you that our ranch doesn’t have a hot tub. But it does have a jet tub in the guest suite. I hope that’ll be enough to ease your aching muscles.”

  She returned his grin. “I guess, after shoveling manure, I’ll be happy to have the jet tub.”

  They were still laughing as they rounded a curve and caught their first glimpse of the ranch house in the distance.

  “Oh.” The word slipped from Sierra’s lips and was drawn out in a long sigh of pleasure. “Talk about spectacular.”

  “Yeah.” He couldn’t help smiling. “Big Jim built the original structure, and it’s been added on to a number of times through the years.”

  “Big Jim?”

  “My grandfather. Everybody calls him Big Jim.”

  “And your dad? Is he Big Something-or-Other?”

  Josh was enjoying her zany sense of humor. She was unlike any woman he’d ever met. He’d watched her interaction with Mitch Carver and noticed her obvious concern when she’d realized that he and his rangers had spent a great deal of time and energy searching for her on the mountain. That kind of genuine interest in someone she’d just met was rare and wonderful.

  “Cole Conway is just ‘Pa.’ ”

  “I’ll probably call him Big Pa. Or else Big Cole. To distinguish from Big Jim, of course.”

  “Then there’s Ela.”

  “Who bakes that wonderful corn bread,” Sierra put in.

  “Right. She’s Arapaho, and has been with us forever.”

  “Arapaho. How fascinating. I can’t wait to ask her all sorts of questions about her people.”

  He was grinning. “I’ll just bet you can’t. And then there’s Phoebe, who came to live with us shortly after our mother disappeared and—”

  “Wait.” Sierra held up a hand. “Your mother disappeared? How? Where? When?”

  He shook his head. “When I was ten. And that’s all I know. She disappeared one day without a trace, and there’s been no information uncovered since. My father hired private detectives, and the state police and Chief Fletcher did all they could, but in the end we have no more information now than we did when it first happened. We don’t know if she’s dead or alive, if she was kidnapped or if she abandoned us. All we know is that she disappeared without a trace.”

  “That’s horrible.” She looked over at him. “And here I am, barging in on your life without offering a thing in return.”

  He lay a hand over hers and was caught once again by that quick rush of heat. “It happened a long time ago. By now it’s old news.”

  “Not to you and your family.”

  He saw the flare of heat in her eyes and found it oddly touching. Though she was hearing this news for the first time, she understood without question the depth of his pain and was able to relate to it.

  She had, it seemed, that rare gift of empathy. She was doing to him exactly what she’d done to Mitch Carver. In just minutes she’d managed to win over his respect and his friendship.

  The truck slowed and came to a stop at the rear of the house, where several vehicles were parked.

  As he stepped out and hurried around to open the passenger door he offered a hand. “Come on and meet the family.”

  He’d expected some hesitation on her part as she accepted his assistance from the truck. Meeting new people was always disconcerting, of course. At least for most people. But Sierra sailed toward the back steps as though she were coming home.

  Josh held the door for Sierra. “We call this our mudroom.”

  She looked around, noting the concrete floor sloped toward a drain in the middle, where beads of water were all that remained of the recent spray of a hose. “Where’s the mud?”

  Josh chuckled. “Down the drain. But believe me, this room sees lots of it.”

  Boots of every size and shape stood in orderly rows on a low shelf. Wide-brimmed hats and parkas and rain gear were hung on pegs along a wall. A large sink anchored one wall, and a soap dispenser hung over it. Beside it sat a pile of fluffy towels. For a working ranch, this room seemed uncommonly neat.

  This room led to a large, open kitchen, with a cooking area, an eating area, and a gathering area. Four men, two of them Josh’s age and two older, stood in the gathering space, talking and drinking longnecks in front of a blazing fire. Three women, one of them young, one middle-aged, and one who appeared to be ancient, moved about the cooking area, removing dishes from the oven, stirring something on the stove.

  Everyone, it seemed, was talking, laughing, creating a chorus of sound that rolled over her in waves. Could all these people be Josh’s family?

  “Well.” A handsome, white-haired man was the first to catch sight of them, and called out a greeting. “Back so soon, boyo? We figured with all this weather, you’d be days up on the mountain searching for that latest crazy hiker.”

  Josh grinned and, because Ela was closest to him, dropped a kiss on the old woman’s cheek. “I was in a hurry to get back to Ela’s corn bread.”

  “Oh, you.” She blushed like a schoolgirl and pretended to slap away his hand.

  “Everybody,” Josh called, “I’d like you to meet Sierra Moore.”

  “The crazy hiker,” she put in with a smile.

  For a moment the room went deadly silent. Then there was a burst of raucous laughter.

  “Sierra, this is my family, some of whom obviously enjoy putting their feet squarely in their mouths.”

  “Careful, boyo,” his grandfather called. “I can still out-muscle you.”

  “Uh-huh.�
� Ignoring Big Jim, Josh dropped his arm around the old woman. “This is Ela, whose corn bread you enjoyed last night.”

  “It was the best.” Sierra smiled and the old woman did the same, showing a gap where one of her teeth used to be.

  “Josh tells me you’re Arapaho. I’d love to hear all about the Arapaho nation.”

  “Few people have even heard of us.” Ela smiled broadly.

  “And this is Phoebe Hogan. Our second mother.”

  “Welcome, Sierra.” Phoebe hurried across the room, wiping her hands on her apron before extending a handshake.

  “Josh sang your praises,” Sierra said, taking her hand between both of hers.

  Phoebe flushed with pleasure.

  “My new sister, Cheyenne.” Josh chuckled. “You know, the more I say that, the easier it becomes. I think I like having a sister in the family. Even if she is one of us by marriage.”

  “Hi, Sierra.” Cheyenne held out a tray of glasses. “We have beer, lemonade, milk, and water.”

  “Nothing yet, thank you.”

  Josh led Sierra across the room to the fireplace. “This is my father, Cole.”

  Sierra and Cole shook hands.

  “My grandfather, Big Jim.”

  “The one with his foot in his mouth,” Big Jim said without apology.

  Sierra couldn’t help the smile that split her lips. “Big Jim.” She emphasized each word as she tilted her head upward toward his handsome, Irish face. “You’re a tall one. I see how you got your name. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “And my brothers, Jake and Quinn.” As Sierra shook their hands, Josh added dryly, “Quinn’s the one who did us all a favor by marrying Cheyenne.”

  That had everyone laughing.

  “Will you stay for dinner, Sierra?”

  At Phoebe’s question, Josh turned. “I’m sorry I forgot to call ahead. Not only have I invited Sierra to stay for dinner, but I’ve invited her to stay overnight.”

  “I hope that’s not a problem,” Sierra put in quickly.

  “Not at all. It’s grand. We have plenty of room for company.” Phoebe began adding another setting to the big trestle table. “Dinner will be ready in just a few minutes, but there’s time to show Sierra the guest suite and take her things up, if you’d like.”

  “Thanks. We’ll deal with our gear later.” Josh plucked a longneck from the tray and held it out to Sierra. “Sure you wouldn’t like one before we eat?”

  “All right. Thanks.” She accepted the bottle.

  He snagged a second one for himself.

  “Where are you from, Sierra?” Big Jim asked affably.

  “Here and there. My last place of residence was Paris.”

  “Is that where you were born?”

  “I’m told I was born on a bus traveling to New Orleans. My father was playing a gig there.”

  “He’s a musician?” Jake was suddenly interested. “Anybody we’d know?”

  Sierra laughed. “He never made it to the big time. But that’s never stopped him from trying. He’s currently playing with a band in Germany.”

  “How does your mother like that?” Quinn asked.

  “She isn’t with him. She’s a sculptor, currently working at a studio in Italy.”

  “Sounds like a fascinating family.” Big Jim glanced at Josh, who was standing quietly beside her. “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

  “Not that I know of.” At their raised eyebrows she added, “But I’ve always thought it would be fun to have a house full of siblings.” She swept a hand to encompass all of them.

  “I’m sure an evening with all of us can change your mind about that.” Josh winked at her, and she felt a rush of heat stain her cheeks.

  Cole set aside his beer. “How’d you happen to get lost on the mountain, Sierra?”

  “I wasn’t lost, exactly. I was just so busy working, I didn’t realize that the rangers were worried about me until Josh came along.”

  Cole shot her a look of surprise. “You weren’t in any trouble?”

  She gave a lopsided grin that was endearing. “The storm threw a lot of snow and ice at me, but I never felt threatened by it. In fact, when Josh found me, I was feeling quite warm and snug in my tent.” She didn’t bother to add that she’d found the isolation gratifying, after the turmoil of the past weeks.

  Cole glanced at Josh for confirmation. “So you made the climb for nothing?”

  Josh shrugged. “I wouldn’t call it nothing. I got a good workout.”

  “And, as a bonus, we now have a pretty guest for dinner, boyo.” Big Jim turned to Phoebe. “Something smells wonderful.”

  “Pot roast. And it’s ready. Come sit down.”

  At her invitation, the family made their way to the table, with Josh and Sierra following.

  Josh held a chair for Sierra, then took the seat beside her. The rest of the family slid effortlessly into their familiar places, with Big Jim at the head of the table, Cole at the other end, his sons and new daughter-in-law on opposite sides, and anchored at each end by Ela and Phoebe.

  While platters of beef and potatoes and late-garden vegetables were passed, the conversation moved just as easily. From weather—uppermost in their minds—to the herds and ranch chores. Through it all, Sierra was content to sit back and soak up every word.

  Big Jim glanced out the window at the storm clouds hovering over the peaks of the Tetons. “There’s more snow coming. I’m thinking we may get an early taste of winter. It may be time to start bringing the herds down.”

  Cole nodded. “I agree. Last year we waited too long and got caught up in the hills.” He turned to Jake. “Want to take a crew up tomorrow?”

  His youngest son gave a negligent shrug of his powerful shoulders, honed by years of routinely handling hundred-pound calves with the same ease as sacks of grain. “I’ll have to check my calendar and see if I’ve got any important patients scheduled.”

  “Patients?” Quinn shot him a look. “Since when did you start scheduling regular patients?”

  “Since old Doc Hunger decided to hang it up and spend this winter in Phoenix with a grandson.”

  “Phoenix?” Big Jim spat the word like an oath. “What’s the old geezer planning on doing there?”

  “I hear he took up golf.” Jake helped himself to a mound of mashed potatoes and poured a river of rich brown gravy over it.

  “What about his ranch?”

  Another shrug before Jake said, “He has plenty of family. Maybe one of them is going to take over. He called me out of the blue and asked if he could add my name and number to his phone message, and refer his regular patients to me while he’s gone this winter. That’s all I know, but I’m hoping to meet with him later in the week. When I see him, I’ll try to get more information for all these inquiring minds.”

  Phoebe laughed. “See that you do. Because if you’re remiss, we’ll have to pay a call on Flora and Dora.”

  Cole joined in the laughter. “I’d say their information will be much more reliable than anything Jake gleans from old Doc Hunger.”

  That had the others laughing, while Josh leaned close to Sierra to explain.

  “Old Doc Hunger has a reputation for being tight-lipped. His usual conversation is hello and good-bye, with an occasional yep or nope thrown in for good measure.”

  Big Jim nodded. “Josh isn’t exaggerating. I once spent half an hour telling Doc about the problems I was having with my best mare. She was listless. Off her feed. I’d been planning on breeding her with—”

  “Doc Hunger?” Jake asked with a gleam in his eye.

  Around the table the family roared.

  Big Jim shot him a hairy-eyed look for daring to interrupt. “So old Doc listens to my litany of complaints, while he’s running his hands around and around the saddle hanging over the side of the stall. He asks if the saddle is new.”

  At the far end of the table, Cole was already grinning from ear to ear, having heard the story a dozen times.

  Big Jim g
lanced around at his captive audience. “I say, ‘Yes, it’s a new saddle, but I’d rather talk about my mare.’ And old Doc says, ‘This is about the mare. What did you pay for this big, fancy, oversized saddle?’ I tell him, ‘Six hundred dollars.’ And he says, ‘You wasted your money.’ And he points out a ridge of hand-tooled leather that had been the reason for the high price, before touching a spot on the mare’s back bearing the same marks. And old Doc says, ‘Toss the new saddle that’s rubbing her raw and your mare will be good as before.’ Then he sticks out his hand and says, ‘That’ll be fifty bucks.’ ”

  While the others laughed, Jake gave a nod of his head. “And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why I became a veterinarian. I can’t wait to collect fifty bucks from all my friends and neighbors for pointing out the obvious.”

  “You try that, son, and you may not have many friends and neighbors left,” Cole said, while still wiping tears of laughter from his eyes.

  “And if you try it with us”—Quinn winked at Josh—“we’ll do what we used to do when we were kids and you got too full of yourself. You’ll find yourself cooling off in the river.”

  There was more laughter.

  Jake gave a mock-pained expression. “At least now I can swim.”

  “Again, thanks to us.” Quinn turned to his wife. “Whenever our little bro got to be too much to handle, we’d just toss him in a creek to cool off.”

  “And then they’d walk away,” Jake added, “without even bothering to see if I was swimming or sinking. For all they cared I could have drowned.”

  “That was our big mistake.” Josh couldn’t keep the laughter from his voice. “We should have tied a rock to your feet, just to be sure.”

  “Now you tell me,” Quinn added.

  “It’s never too late to try.” Josh helped himself to another square of corn bread.

  Sierra sat back, enjoying the sound of their laughter. This was a new concept. It had never occurred to her that family members could have as much fun together as friends did. There was no denying that this family, all three generations of them, actually enjoyed one another’s company.