“You know, my Benny had suffered greatly when he got sick. He changed too. Illness is such a terrible thing for masculine men like my Benny and your father.”
“He’s definitely grumpy.”
“Age with all the muscle aches and forgetfulness makes us into, how do my kids put it, sourpusses,” she joked. “When I had my knee surgery, they all tried to make me sit down and relax like an old woman. They soon learned that age didn’t make me old. They even suggested I sell the rink.” She laughed. “They would have seen a sourpuss then.”
“I couldn’t imagine this place not being here in Cooper’s Hawk. It’s a part of the history.”
“It’s so nice to have you back in town.” Isabella patted Mindy’s hand. “I’m sure Rusty is happy too. He always kept me up to date on your achievements.”
“I’m sure he mentioned the divorce?”
“Yes, yes, he did. I’m sorry. Just remember though, sometimes the heartbreak builds us into the person we need to be.”
“Thank you, Isabella. Thank you for everything. When Mom passed away you were there for me. You helped me through, and I can never tell you enough how much it meant to me.”
Tears filled Isabella’s eyes. She sniffed and stood to pat her hair in nervous energy. “So then I’ll be in touch soon, my dear.”
Mindy left the rink feeling elated after a skate and a job opportunity.
Turning onto Sage Ranch later, a sense of home washed through Mindy.
Clicking off the AC and rolling the window down, she breathed in fresh, country air. She caught a salty combination of straw and cow manure and instead of being repulsed she smiled. What had she ever been thinking when she’d wanted Branch to move here with her? He would have gotten one whiff of poop and vomited.
Across the grass she saw Bo. The cowboy had been working Sage Ranch for as long as Mindy had been alive. Putting her car into park, she got out and met him halfway. She walked into his open arms for a tight hug.
“Well, well, well. Let me look at you,” he said when she stepped out of his embrace. His leathered skin had more deep wrinkles and he’d lost weight. “You know things just ain’t the same around here without you, Miss Mindy.”
She couldn’t remember one memory on Sage Ranch that didn’t include the charming, happy-go-lucky Bo Walters. “It’s been a long time. How’s May?”
“Wifey is great, even better now that I’m only here a few days a week. If I’d known you were back in town I’d have come sooner.”
“Daddy told me you weren’t here as often.”
“May wanted me to retire completely, but you know this old man needs something to keep his bones in shape.”
“Will you tell her hello from me?”
“Sure thing, sweet girl. You know she’ll want to see you. And I’m sure she’ll make you one of her rhubarb pies that you used to ask for.”
“I’ll stop over one day, but she doesn’t have to go to any trouble.”
“No trouble for our favorite cowgirl.”
She kissed his cheek and bid him farewell.
Starting for the car, she saw movement in the field and spotted a shirtless man near the fence. He was pounding a post into the ground. Each movement made the muscles of his broad back flex. The waist of his worn jeans settled low on his slender hips and his thick, long legs went on for miles. She couldn’t deny that she’d missed cowboys, especially ones that looked this good.
There was something familiar about him…
The man dropped the hammer into the grass, swiped off his white Stetson and hooked it on the nearby post. He bent and reached for a water bottle from the ground and she saw his profile. Every bit of air trailed out of her lungs. Her knees wobbled. Sweat beaded between her breasts. Her heart played like a banjo.
She knew him!
The cowboy was none other than Creed Hawke.
What was he doing here?
Leaning against the driver’s door, she watched him from the cover of the car, barely able to draw oxygen into her lungs. Her limbs tingled and the threat of passing out was real.
He dropped the bottle, grabbed the hammer and went back to pounding, unaware that he was the object of her heated stare.
Swallowing against the thickness in her throat, she laid her forehead against the cool metal of the car. Get into control. Get into control. He’s just a man.
Lifting her head, she felt a swirl of heat through her.
God, he looked good.
Better than good.
His shoulders were broader, his back wider and his bottom firmer. He was all around bigger and stronger. Masculine. She felt a pool of desire in the pit of her stomach that awakened her nerve endings.
He turned and she squealed, jumping into the driver’s seat and ducking down. She kept her gaze locked on him above the steering wheel. Age had been kind to him—unfairly kind. His bright blue eyes were radiant against his tanned skin. His handsome face had chiseled lines that made him look warrior-like. His sharp cheekbones and jaw were covered in dark whiskers, making him look dangerous, not scruffy. The thick waves of his hair touched his nape.
Thankfully, he didn’t see her stalking him.
Once he returned his attention to the fence, she sat up in
