Shadow Mountain. Leona Karr
have chosen. She didn’t seem the type who easily related to children.
WES WAS the only one in the room when they came down to breakfast. He watched as Caroline and Danny moved along the buffet. When she gave him a hesitant smile, he was glad he’d made the effort to come down early. He stood up and motioned for them to join him at his table.
He thought she looked trim and neat in light-blue slacks, matching jacket and simple white blouse. The first thing he’d noticed about her was her eyes. They were as blue and clear as a summer’s sky. Her brunette, wavy hair was short, casual and carefree. He liked that. He couldn’t stand women who were always fussing with their hair. His late wife, Pamela, had been the worst. She’d been a Texas beauty queen when he’d met and married her. Her appearance had always been uppermost in her mind. It got a little wearying at times.
As they sat down, Wes poured her coffee from a table carafe and offered Danny a carton of chocolate milk.
“I like chocolate best,” Danny said with a happy grin.
“I thought you might,” he said smiling as he poured it into a glass for him. He was a damn cute kid. Not as outgoing as Cassie, but he’d bet Danny was just as sure of himself in his own way. “Did you sleep well?” he asked Caroline as if the dark circles under her eyes weren’t answer enough.
“So-so. I guess I had a few things on my mind.”
As she sipped her coffee and looked at him over the rim of her cup, a feeling he hadn’t experienced for a long time stirred within him. Her features were totally feminine and her full breasts and rounded hips invited the caressing touch of a man’s hands. Her lips were moist and pink from the warmth of the hot coffee and he couldn’t help but imagine what they would feel like pressed against his. As he felt desire begin to stir, he looked away quickly and gave his attention to his cinnamon toast.
“Lovely view,” she said, looking out the window.
“This early in the morning the sun just brushes the tops of the trees,” he told her. “The mountains look as if they’ve been painted against the sky. As far as I’m concerned, the Colorado Rockies have the kind of beauty that makes life worthwhile. I hope you can relax, Caroline, and enjoy yourself a little while you’re here.”
“Stella said you wouldn’t be staying.”
Wes couldn’t tell from her tone whether it made the slightest difference to her one way or the other. He was used to women who welcomed his company and for some strange reason he wanted her to be one of them.
“I’ve changed my plans a bit—because of Dexter. I guess I’ll have to keep him company for a few days at least.”
The excuse was a lie. Dexter often spent time at the lodge or Wes’s Texas ranch when Wes wasn’t around. His old friend had been trying to make time with Stella for quite a while—without much luck. If Stella favored anyone it was Tim Henderson, the manager-caretaker of the property. Tim was a little older than Stella, quiet-spoken and didn’t jump when she threw her weight around. Their relationship hadn’t changed much through the years and Wes really didn’t know if they had a private, intimate relationship going or not.
“I hope Dex and I won’t be in your way,” Wes added, blatantly fishing for an assurance his presence would be welcome.
“I’m not sure how extensive Stella’s plans are,” she replied evenly.
“You may have trouble putting a leash on Stella’s wild ideas,” he warned.
“That isn’t my job. I’ve been hired to follow her wishes as best I can. My commitment is to please Stella and offer suggestions, but not implement my own ideas.”
“Then heaven help us both,” he said lightly. He was impressed with the firm way she set him straight. He liked that.
“More coffee?” he asked as he filled her cup.
Danny piped up. “Where’s that girl?”
“You mean Cassie?”
Danny bobbed his head. “Yeah, her.”
“She usually has breakfast and sometimes lunch with her nanny upstairs. They have a nice little kitchen apartment all their own. Maybe you’d like to join them sometime?”
Danny’s expression clearly expressed his lack of enthusiasm for such a happening. “I don’t like girls.”
Wes chuckled at the child’s display of disgust. Danny was all boy. Watching a son like that grow up would be a joy. Wes’s heart tightened just a bit. He loved his daughter, but he couldn’t help wishing he also had his own son to raise.
“Girls are a pest sometimes,” he agreed solemnly. “It’s too bad you’re not interested though. Cassie has a playroom filled with all kinds of fun things. And then there’re the ponies.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” his mother said quickly. “Danny’s never been around horses.”
“Maybe this is a good time to give him that opportunity. One of my staff, Tim Henderson, is very good with youngsters. He rides with Cassie almost every day.” Wes could tell she wasn’t sold on the idea. “What about you? Have you done any horseback riding?”
Her laughter surprised him. “I’ve ridden bareback, saddled up my own mount and even mucked out a stable or two.” She told him that her parents had been farm people.
“Well, I guess I’d better brush up on my own performance before asking you to go riding with me.”
“We could all go,” Danny popped up in a firm little voice.
Wes was beginning to like this kid more and more. “Good idea. How about this afternoon?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Stella—” Caroline started to protest.
“Let’s say four o’clock. She should be through with you by then.”
“Please, Mama, please,” Danny begged.
Wes could tell Danny’s mother was hard put to deny his eager expression. “We ought to take advantage of the nice weather. October can be unpredictable, especially in the high country.”
“All right, if Stella doesn’t object.”
“Good,” Wes stood up and ruffled Danny’s hair. “See you then, cowboy.”
CAROLINE AND Danny were just finishing their breakfast when Trudie Benson came in from the kitchen. She wiped her hands on an apron large enough to cover her rounded middle and asked, “Everything all right?”
“Great,” Caroline assured her. “Thank you.”
“No need for thanks. Hank and I are happy just to see people enjoying the food.”
“Where is everybody?”
“The hired help eat early and the rest eat late. You’re kinda in the middle. Felicia and Cassie are having breakfast upstairs.”
“Could you tell me where their rooms are? I need to check with the nanny about looking after Danny while I work.” Caroline ignored Danny’s audible groan.
“Top of the stairs, turn to the right. Knock on the double doors at the end of the hall.”
Caroline thanked her and they left Trudie busily checking the buffet and coffeepots.
Danny hung back and grumbled all the way up the stairs.
“It’s going to be fun,” Caroline assured him. “Like daycare and preschool…only better. Just the two of you to play with all the toys.”
“Girls’ stuff,” he muttered.
“Did you notice her cowboy boots and hat? And she has her own ponies.” She smiled to herself as his frown disappeared.
“I guess she’s okay.”
“You’ll