stables. You still know how to ride?” he asked.
“I hope I do.” Her smile deepened and she turned back to him. “How many horses?”
“Six, and quite a few boarders.”
“The boarding has picked up?”
Will released his breath. “Not as much as I’d hoped.” Not as much as he needed.
His eyes narrowed following her gaze as she looked out toward the orchard.
“Lots going on at the ranch, Annie. I’ve started a new business venture. This is the make-it-or-break-it year for Sullivan Ranch.” He gripped the railing tightly with both hands.
And he had to make a profit to keep his father’s legacy alive. No way would he let Sullivan Ranch go without a fight.
Rose appeared at the screen. “Come on inside. Too dark now to appreciate all Will’s hard work. You can see the ranch tomorrow. It’s supposed to be a beautiful day. Did you see that red sky?”
Will held the door open.
As she moved past, Annie raised a knowing brow at him. “Told you so,” she whispered.
Will merely smiled.
“Wait until you see all the changes around here. Will’s put this place on the map. Did he tell you about the web page?”
Annie grinned. “Yes, I heard.”
Rose wiped her hands on her apron and stepped back as Annie hopped inside. “Oh, and, Will, that was for you, that gal from church who keeps pestering you.” Rose frowned. “I’ve already forgotten her name. Well, no never mind. I let her know you’re too busy to chitchat, and to call back tomorrow.”
“What?” Annie taunted from inside the house. “Will has a girlfriend?”
Grabbing the suitcases, he strode past the kitchen. The aroma of fresh blackberry pie accompanied him down the hallway.
“I do not have a girlfriend,” he called, depositing the bags on the rag rug in Annie’s old room.
The fact was he rarely dated and took pains not encourage anyone in any way. Will had come to terms with the path he must take long ago. It could never include marriage.
“Why, our Will is considered quite a catch these days, don’t you know?” Rose said, proud as any mother.
Annie released a strangled laugh at Rose’s words and slapped her palm on the heavy oak table.
“What’s so funny about that?” After drying his hands, Will balled up the dish towel and shot, hitting his target dead-on where she sat.
Pulling the cloth off her head, Annie flung the fabric back.
He neatly dodged.
“Okay, you two. No horseplay in the house,” Rose reprimanded, picking up the towel from the floor. She opened the refrigerator and grabbed a large foil-covered plate.
“Yes, ma’am.” Will’s fingers snaked out to grab a slice of roast beef just as Rose uncovered the platter. He popped the tidbit into his mouth.
When he turned he found Annie inspecting him. “What?” he asked, uncomfortable with her assessment.
“N-Nothing.” She quickly glanced away.
“Come on. You’re up to something.”
Annie cleared her throat and turned back, her usual mischievous smile in place. “I wondered if I crossed my eyes and looked real hard I might be able to figure out what all the fuss is about.”
“Huh?”
“All those women chasing you.”
“Oh, knock it off,” he growled. “Now, what do you want to drink?”
“Anything without caffeine, please,” she said. A frown settled on her face. “Suddenly I’m not tired at all, and that is not good.”
“Having insomnia, honey?” Rose asked. “You sleep on the plane at all?”
“The only place I’ve managed to get any decent sleep was in Will’s truck.”
“Is that the story of my life or what? I bore women to sleep.”
“You should be honored. I don’t nod off for just anyone, you know.”
The circles beneath her eyes told Will she didn’t exaggerate. He knew it wasn’t only plane rides keeping her awake. What happened over there that continued to haunt her nights? She’d refused to discuss the accident on the phone.
“What else do you want out of here, Rose?” He motioned to the refrigerator.
“Grab that spicy mustard Annie likes, and the blackberry pie from the counter.”
“Oh, well, now I know I’m in heaven. Blackberry pie.” Annie licked her lips. She stood and awkwardly leaned against the chair back, then hopped to the cupboard.
“I’ll get whatever you need,” Will said.
She pulled out a plate. “I’m not helpless. Now please slide that pie over here.”
“You can’t eat dessert first.” He held the tin barely out of her grasp.
“Watch me.” Annie grabbed the pie from Will’s hands. She set it down and transferred a generous chunk onto her plate then to her mouth. Slowly chewing and swallowing, she closed her eyes for a moment in silent appreciation. “Nobody cooks like Rose.” A fork pointed at him, she continued, “You’re spoiled rotten.”
“Got that straight.” He swiped a small crumb that had fallen from her fork to the polished wood table. Tasting the morsel, he stopped and relished the rightness of having the people he cared about most gathered together in his kitchen. Heartfelt words slipped out before he was aware of it. “It’s so good to have you back.”
Annie paused. “Thank you, Will.” She sounded almost shy.
“Are you saying all I have to do to keep you here is keep the pie coming?” Rose asked.
“That’ll do it,” Annie agreed, eyes still locked on Will as she sat back down. “Of course, you’ll be rolling me down the front steps when I leave,” she added.
“You just got here. Don’t start talking about leaving,” Rose moaned.
“Rose,” Will reminded softly. They’d discussed this topic after Annie’s phone call.
Don’t get your hopes up, he’d said.
He thought Rose would collapse when she heard about the attack on the Kenyan border clinic. A bullet hit Annie’s leg. They’d received a late-night phone message from the U.S. Embassy informing them Annie was in a Nairobi hospital.
Will’s jaw clenched as he remembered. Then and there he decided to call and demand she come home—at least until she healed. Before the call went through he’d already determined he wouldn’t allow her to draw him into an argument.
Her quick wit and sharp tongue he could handle. The acquiescence he heard in her voice was a sucker punch to his gut. Annie was scared and wanted nothing more at that moment than to return to the States.
But for how long?
Now that she was here, it would be difficult for Rose to let her go again.
“I know, I know,” Rose said, stirring the potato salad with vengeance. She turned her head, using the corner of her apron to wipe moisture from her eyes.
Rose’s heartfelt response slammed into Will. A surge of protectiveness for the woman who’d mothered him for so long welled in his chest.
He glanced at Annie, who sat at the table looking miserable and seeming unsure what to do. For the first time in a long time, Will sent up a prayer. He