“Have you told Buck and Lola? That you want to find your birth father?”
“No, not yet. I will. I just want to look into it myself. Lola and Buck started working at the Wild Cow as young newlyweds for my grandparents. Of course, they remember my mother, Michelle, before she ran away. Do you think my birth father might’ve been a local boy?” Emotion filled her eyes with tears, and it surprised her. Even though she had stared at his name on paper numerous times, she couldn't bring herself to say it out loud…until now. She swallowed the tears and cleared her throat.
Nathan covered her hand with his. “Carli, I’m sorry for the pain of your past. We don’t always understand why people do the things they do. I don’t know what was going on in your mom’s mind when she found out she was pregnant. Did that guy know he was the father? Did he abandon her? Maybe he knew nothing about a baby. Maybe she ran away, and he never saw her again. If you’re curious, do the research. But take it slow.”
“Thanks, Nate. It means a lot to have someone I can talk to about this stuff.”
“What about Lank? Have you told him?”
Carli paused in surprise as she looked at Nathan. “What has this got to do with Lank? No. I have to be careful of that situation.”
“No reason. Just wondering. I think that’s smart, Carli, to keep this information close to the vest for a while until you can find out more.”
“I’m his boss. He’s my ranch hand. Why would I talk to him about my personal life?” Carli looked at Nathan in surprise. Where was he going with this conversation and why did he bring up Lank? No doubt she felt a spark when Lank was around, but it never crossed her mind that anyone else might notice. Was Nathan that interested in her that he sensed there might be something between her and the ranch hand?
“I don’t want to bad-mouth anyone. Lank was a little wild in the past. String of girlfriends, typical for a guy on the rodeo circuit. Not the most stable kind of guy in case you’re thinking of taking him into your confidence.”
“I appreciate your friendship, Nate. This isn’t something I feel comfortable sharing with Lank or anybody else right now.” She leaned forward and put her hands on his. “Thanks for listening. I really mean it.”
Carli looked at Nathan but didn’t say anything more. What a change of topic from her birth father to Lank and his many dates. She tried not to let the surprise show in her eyes. Since when had Nathan Olsen become concerned about what she tells her ranch hand, Lank Torres?
Chapter Three
“Hey, I wanted to ask you about next weekend.” Nathan Olsen shrugged out of his Carhartt® ranch jacket and let it hang over the back of his chair.
Carli studied the handsome face of her neighbor and friend and considered if there might be anything more besides friendship between them. He was so easy to talk to as evidenced by the fact they were still sitting at a tall metal table in the B &R Beanery in downtown Dixon. Talking with Nathan was like being with an old friend. She glanced down at her coffee which had long since grown cold.
“What do you think about art galleries? An art museum in Amarillo is having an exhibit I’d like to see, if you want to go. Do you like that kind of stuff?”
One of her favorite pastimes had been wandering through museums and galleries. She smiled, “Sure, sounds like fun.” It was comfortable being with Nathan, safe.
“They’re featuring an artist’s demonstration. Bronze sculptures, kind of like Frederic Remington. I’d really like to see his work.”
Carli smiled again to reassure him. “Sure, I said I’d go. Sounds great.”
“How about another coffee?” Nathan stood.
“Yeah, thanks, Nate.”
He leaned closer, his mouth just inches from her ear. “When I get back, I want to hear more about the birth certificate and what you found. I bet you were a cute baby.” He winked.
Carli felt her cheeks grow warm and she couldn’t suppress her laugh as he walked away. Turning her attention back to the paperwork, she tried to put some of it in order before folding and stuffing it back into her bag, as Nathan placed their order. She had so much more digging to do on the subject of her birth father yet was hesitant to share her secret with anyone else.
The overeager Christy at the register was shiny and big-smiled. She and Nathan shared a laugh about something.
“Who’s your lady friend over there?” Christy whispered, but in the empty, cement floor shop, her voice carried over to Carli.
“That’s Carli Jameson. She owns the Wild Cow Ranch.”
“Ohhh, she inherited Jean and Ward's place?” She looked in Carli’s direction with a straight face, but Carli managed to give her a little smile. Christy leaned closer to Nathan. “You guys dating?”
“Kinda. We’re good friends.” Nathan collected their order and thanked Christy. “Keep the change.” When he returned to the table, he had two big carrot-applesauce muffins for them.
Nathan’s answer of “kinda” raised Carli’s inner antenna, and when she noticed Christy disappearing into the back, she couldn’t resist teasing him a bit. “You Texas men sure do attract the girls, dontcha?”
“Her? She said we went to high school together.” He leaned closer across the table, glanced over his shoulder, and whispered, “I don’t remember her.”
“Well, darn. I was anxious to hear about that homecoming party.” Carli giggled when Nathan blushed and glared at her.
“Don’t remember a thing and that’s my story.”
“You may not remember her, but I think she’s
