the door behind her. “Jason, why don’t you unpack?”
“I get this room.” He rolled off the bed, grabbed his pack and unzipped the top. Turning it over, he dumped the contents out on the bed.
A mountain of video game cards poured out of the bag, followed by a pair of jeans and socks. Gabe chuckled at the necessities of life. “Hey, Bud, sure you have everything?”
Jason picked up his game unit and waved it in the air. “This is all I need.”
Melanie rolled her eyes. “Thanks for taking care of my truck. Sorry we disrupted your schedule.”
“Not a problem.” He opened the utility closet door and switched on the furnace. Five metal clicks confirmed the unit operational. Seconds later, air blew up beside him from the floor vent. “Meals are part of the deal, too.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“There is nothing funny about how Grace Davidson views hospitality.” He opened the linen closet and checked the towels and blankets. “Dinner is at six o’clock. Don’t be late or the cook will have your hide.”
“Oh no, we couldn’t. You’ve already done so much for us.”
Her blue gaze darted about the room before landing on him. She shifted her weight as if she’d had enough for one day. He couldn’t blame her. His family was a bit overpowering at times. “If you’re up to it, you can go in and argue. But I’ll warn you, my mother drops the biggest guilt bombs you’ve ever seen.”
Gabe backed up toward the door and reached for the knob. “That clock in the kitchen tells the right time, and the stove runs on propane. If you need anything, give a holler.” Before she could respond, he made his escape, closing the door behind him.
Out on the porch, the wind continued to blow. He pulled his hat in place and stepped out from under the eave. Rain poured from the heavens. He followed the well-worn path from the cabin to the ranch house. The small stream coursing through the ruts would wick into the ground by morning.
Melanie agreeing to coordinate the barbecue was a blessing, but the added distraction of their guests threw his entire schedule off. Gabe turned at the fence corner and walked toward the office door.
Gabe had ideas and plans for the ranch operation. He had the tools and knowledge to trim time and cost; he just needed to convince his dad the changes were viable. Too often it seemed like Dad expected him to run cattle and keep tally of the stock on a wallboard in the barn much like his grandpa had.
The Fourth of July auction would make or break him. He needed to concentrate on the task at hand and make this stock sale the best of the summer. The best ever.
When he reached the deck off the office, he stomped on the worn doormat and glanced over his shoulder at the green roof of the cabin poking through the trees. On top of all the headaches screaming for attention, a new distraction now resided in a cabin out the office back door.
Lord, grant me strength.
The next morning, Jason sat in the back seat of the pickup, his arms dangling over the front seat. “I’m lost. Do you ever get lost driving into town?”
“Been driving down this road all my life.” Gabe held the steering wheel with one hand as they rounded a corner. “Don’t think there’s anything to forget.”
“I don’t think I’d find my way back.”
Melanie had to agree. They’d turned and twisted up and down so many little roads before hitting the main highway, she didn’t have a clue how to get back. She shifted in her seat and nodded at him. “I think that’s why Gabe came with us today.”
After the torrential rain the night before, the sky ahead of them shone crystal blue. Melanie tensed as Gabe hit a few ruts and puddles, his truck occasionally skidding. Gabe didn’t look rattled. The county roads still spooked her.
Gabe downshifted down after hitting a deeper pothole. “No sense in an instant replay of yesterday.”
“Thanks.” She pried her hand off the dashboard.
He chuckled. “So where do you want to stop first?”
“We need Coco Snaps and milk.” Jason started the list. “Miss Grace cooks really good. I don’t think Mom has to cook any meat or vegetables.”
“Jason Hunter.” Melanie couldn’t believe her ears. “Remember your manners.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Gabe turned down the main street of town. “My mom will be feeding him every chance she gets.”
“But still.” She shot Jason a warning look. “I guess we do need to stop at the grocery store.”
Gabe pulled into a space down a side road. He slipped out of the truck, circled around to her side and opened the door before she had her seat belt off. Unaccustomed to the courtesy, Melanie stared at him.
“Why’d you open the door?” Jason pushed against the back door and hopped out. “Was the lock stuck?”
Gabe held the door. “A lady never opens her own door.”
“Mom always opens her own door, even when she’s sick.”
Uncomfortable being the topic of discussion, Melanie grabbed her purse and angled out of the cab. “I’m made of sturdy stuff.”
Gabe closed the door behind her and indicated the sidewalk. “Bud, a man’s got certain obligations, and showing respect to a lady is the biggest one.”
“I don’t see why it’s a big deal.” Jason frowned and jammed his hands in his pockets. “It’s not like she broke her arm or anything.”
Gabe ruffled Jason’s hair. “We have a long way to go, don’t we?”
Melanie snapped to attention. Her mind whirled around their conversation even as her heart beat faster. Just because Gabe Davidson demonstrated common courtesy and a more-than-capable attitude was no reason to start fantasizing about the man. Hadn’t she learned anything from past experience? Her fists tightened as she listened to Jason and Gabe discuss the finer points of good manners. She shook her head. Get a life.
Her world of plant and insect research offered few choices of husbandry options beyond the realm of livestock genetics. Professors, over quiet dinners and coffee, enjoyed her quick mind and attention to detail but drew the line when invited to soccer games and school conferences. The other researchers in her department viewed the world through mugs of beer and late-night parties. They hadn’t a clue as to what parental responsibility entailed. And she’d never been interested in the singles scene. Not many choices left, were there?
“After you.” Jason giggled as he held open the door to the grocery store.
Gabe rolled his eyes. “Yep, a long way to go.”
Melanie cringed, not sure if Gabe made a habit of instilling etiquette in young boys, or if she’d just been insulted.
They ran through the store grabbing the essentials, Gabe taking them down each aisle to make sure nothing was forgotten. When they reached the cashier, Gabe inched the lid off a canister while Melanie unloaded the cart.
He handed Jason a strip of meat. “Here, try this.”
Jason scrunched his nose. “What is it?”
“Elk jerky. Best you’ll ever taste.”
“Eww.” Jason backed up.
Gabe tore off a piece with his teeth. He chewed a couple times and swallowed. “Have you ever tried it?”
Jason eyed the strip. “No.”
“Do I look like I’m going to die?”
Jason giggled. “No.”
“Well?” Gabe pointed the jerky expectantly toward Jason.
Melanie