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Welcome Wagon (River's End Ranch Book 13)
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Welcome Wagon
River’s End Ranch Book Thirteen
by Amelia C. Adams
I’d like to thank Robin Kirkham, lawyer and all-around good friend, for letting me pick her brain about judges.
I’d also like to thank my beta readers—Amy L., Amy P., Erin, Jen, Kristi, Mary, Meisje, and Nancy, and Erin Dameron-Hill for the great cover.
Table of Contents:
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Epilogue
Sneak Peek at Sarsaparilla Showdown
Chapter One
Gwen smiled when the elevator doors opened and Mrs. Callahan stepped out, clutching a DVD to her chest.
“What did you think, Mrs. Callahan?” she asked when the woman approached the front desk.
“Oh, it was just beautiful. I thought my heart was going to break there at the end.” She slid the DVD case across the counter. “Thank you so much for letting me borrow it.”
“You’re welcome.” Gwen tucked the copy of Enchantment under the desk where she’d be sure to remember to take it home later. “I first saw that movie in a decrepit theater in a rundown part of town. The bathroom had flocked wallpaper, and there was a little old lady in there who wanted to dance with everyone who came in as we waited in line. Those were the good old days.”
Mrs. Callahan giggled. “Where was that, dear? Here in Riston?”
“No, in Oklahoma City. That theater was torn down about fifteen years ago—saddest thing ever. I saw Laurence Olivier there for the first time.”
Mrs. Callahan sighed dramatically. “Which movie was it?”
“Rebecca.”
“No! Oh, Gwen, you had a wonderful childhood.”
Gwen smiled broadly and recommended that Mrs. Callahan go to the diner for lunch, special emphasis on the Western Wonder burger. Then she turned back to her computer, updating the reservations for next week.
The phone rang just as she finished.
“River’s End Ranch. How may I help you?”
“Hi there,” said the male voice on the other end. “I’m told by a friend that I absolutely have to give your place a try.”
“Well, I agree,” Gwen replied with a smile. “When would you like to come?”
“I was thinking about early next week, and I’d like to stay for around five days. What do you have available?”
Gwen hit a few keys on her computer. “I have an opening for a king room in the bunkhouse from Monday through Friday of next week, or if you’re bringing a family, I can arrange for you to have the Copper cabin.”
“No, it’s just me, so the bunkhouse is fine.”
“Excellent. I do have to warn you, though—it’s nicer than your typical bunkhouse, so if you were hoping for a rattler in your bed or something, you’re going to be disappointed.”
He laughed, and the sound was a little familiar. “No snakes? Maybe I shouldn’t come.”
“Well, I didn’t say there were no snakes at all. You’ll just have to go outside to find them.”
“Oh, all right. Put me down for one bunkhouse room, minus snakes, from Monday through Friday, then.”
“Excellent. What’s your last name?” Gwen poised her fingers over the keyboard.
“My last name is Grant. First name is Gabe.”
She blinked. That couldn’t be right . . . “And where are you from, Gabe?” That wasn’t a standard registration question, but she had to find out.
“Oklahoma City.”
She swallowed hard, her pulse starting to race. “Listen, this is an odd question, but you aren’t by any chance a lawyer, are you?”
“Nope.”
Just as quickly as she’d become excited, it deflated. Of course it couldn’t be him. The odds of that were too crazy.
“I’m a judge now,” he continued. “But I was a lawyer for a while.”
“Wow.” She leaned up against the counter, needing some support. Let the craziness begin. “So, hey. I don’t know if you remember me, but this is Gwen Scott.”
“Gwen?” His voice caught a little. “Of course I remember you. How . . . what are you doing on my phone?”
She laughed. “I work here at the ranch. I’m in charge of reservations.”
“I can’t believe it.” He paused. “How are you?”
“I’m good. I’m really good. How are you? Well, that’s a dumb question—you’re a judge now. Of course you’re doing well.”
“I am, career wise. I’m in excellent health, and my dentist says no cavities.”
“Oh, that’s very good news.” Gwen’s hands were shaking. She couldn’t believe she was talking to Gabe Grant after all these years. “And on the romantic front? I see that you’re traveling alone.” That was another not-standard registration question, but again, she had to know.
“Getting right to the heart of it, as usual. Well, the last girl I asked out told me no and ran to Idaho and married a guy who teaches rock climbing at a ranch out there. She said I should come for a visit, so I am. Pretty lame, huh?”
“Wait—you know Amber?”
“Yup.”
“That’s so wild. I mean, I knew she was a lawyer in Oklahoma City, but I never thought to ask if we knew people in common, and I didn’t think . . .”
“You didn’t want to think about me.” He summed it up perfectly.
“Now who’s getting right to the heart of it?” She hoped her smile came through in her voice.
“Hey, Gwen, listen. I need to get back in the courtroom—recess is almost over. Can I take you out to dinner Monday night? I really want to catch up with you. It’s been a long time.”
“Yes, it has been. Sure, you can take me out, and we can finish gabbing then. Just let me get a credit card number so I can put a hold on your room.”
“You bet. Here you go.”
She read back the digits to make sure she had them right, then paused. “It’ll be good to see you again, Gabe.”
“You too.” His voice was soft. Then the phone went dead.
***
“Jaclyn!” Gwen shrieked as she ran up the older woman’s sidewalk, dodging slicks of snow and melty puddles.
Jaclyn opened her front door wide. “Come in, child. Gracious, you sound like the hounds are after you.”
“They might be. I don’t know. But I need some rabbit therapy.”
Jaclyn motioned around her living room. “Take your pick.”
Gwen picked up Theodore, a big fluffy gray male, and settled into a chair. “Okay. What do you already know?”
Jaclyn sat down and poured some tea into two delicate cups. “The fairies were a little more subtle this time because they said you’d want to tell me yourself. But I do gather that someone from your past is coming back, someone you used to care for very much.”
“Yeah, and I think I do want to tell you myself. It helps me when I hear myself think.” Gwen leaned forward and took the offered teacup. “Do you want the whole story, or just the highlights?”
Jaclyn fixed her with a look. “When have you ever heard me ask for just the highlights?” She turned and addressed one of the rabbits. “It’s like she doesn’t even know me.”
“And he was very good-looking,” Jaclyn supplied. “The fairies let that slip.”
“Yes, he was very good-looking.” Gwen’s cheeks got a little warm just thinking about it. “Well, we became friends instantly—we had everything in common, we liked the same kind of food, and he even watched my old movies with me.”
“A match made in heaven,” Jaclyn commented.
“It really was until I decided I wasn’t cut out for law school and dropped out. We vowed we wouldn’t let that ruin our relationship, but suddenly we weren’t spending so much time together anymore, and we drifted apart. I’d changed my major and was studying travel and hospitality, which isn’t taught on the same campus, but is about sixty miles away. That choice landed me here eventually, and he’s now a judge. A judge! Can you believe it? And he’s only forty.”
“A good-looking judge,” Jaclyn clarified.
“Yes! Unless he’s lost all his hair and gained a hundred pounds since I saw him last. No, he’d still be handsome.” Gwen sighed. Theodore, for all his fluffiness, wasn’t really helping. “Turns out, he knows Amber.”
“Well, that makes sense. Lawyer, judge. And I know you grew up in Oklahoma, where she’s from.”
“You’re the only one who put it together—I was completely shocked when he called and said he was coming on her recommendation.”
“So. The man from your past is coming here to River’s End, and you’re all in a tizzy about it. Why is that, child?”
“Most likely because I’m still in love with him, I guess.” Gwen sighed again. She was getting bunny fur stuck in her Chapstick.
“And have you known that this whole time, or are you realizing it just now because he’s coming?”
Gwen had to think about that for a minute. “It’s always been there just lingering under the surface. That’s why I’ve never really had a serious relationship since—I’ve been comparing everyone to Gabe, and no one can measure up.”
Jaclyn wagged a finger at her. “Yes, that’s a very telling sign right there. So, he never did anything to hurt you so you have nothing to forgive him for, you’ve been thinking about him all these years, and he’s coming on Monday. The question remains, what are you going to do about it? Are you going to try to win him back? Well, of course you are—you’d be a big idiot not to, and I don’t think you’re a big idiot. And neither do the fairies. They’re quite partial to you, you know.”
Gwen blinked. “They are? I had no idea.”
“It’s on account of your red hair. They say it’s like you’re a member of the family.”
Something in Gwen’s chest warmed up. “That’s really sweet. So, do you—or they—have any advice for me?”
Jaclyn tilted her head to the side. “Hmmm. Just be yourself . . . which has to be the most overused piece of advice ever given. We’ve got to do better than that. Remember the Titans. No . . . remember the Alamo. Not it either . . . ah! Remember all the good times. Yes, that’s it.” She sat back, looking mighty pleased with herself. Then a startled look crossed her face. “Who’s minding the desk? Isn’t it time for your maids to be cleaning rooms right now?”
“Pastor Kevin. He came wandering by not long after I got off the phone with Gabe.”
“That poor boy. He gets rooked into doing all the little odd jobs around here.”
“It’s his own fault for being so willing to help when he’s asked.”
“He’s a pastor. He’s supposed to say yes to helping people.” Jaclyn nodded at the teapot. “Any more?”
“No, I really should go back and let Kevin live his own life or whatever.” Gwen reluctantly put Theodore down and stood up. “Thanks, Jaclyn. Should I bring Gabe by to meet you while he’s here?”
“He’ll wander over on his own. They always do.”
Gwen smiled. “Thanks for the tea and for listening. And thank the fairies, too.”
“Already done, child.”
Chapter Two
When Gabe Grant had asked Amber Russell out on a date a few months back, she’d very nicely told him that she was in love with someone else. She was clear that she thought Gabe was a really great guy, though, which should have been a good morale booster, and yet, it hadn’t been. If he was such a great guy, why wasn’t he in a relationship?
He could see himself with a wedding ring on his finger, walking down the street pushing a stroller filled with kids. He wanted a minivan full of car seats and groceries. He wanted to bring home a bouquet of flowers on random Thursdays and surprise his wife and take her out to dinner and help put the kids to bed. Everything he heard other men complain about, he wanted.
There was just one major thing he had to do first—find the wife.
He sighed as he walked into his apartment and pulled off his tie. He had a great life. He was successful in his career, he had money in the bank, he was well respected everywhere he went—but he couldn’t get past a first date. He’d meet a girl, ask her out, they’d have a nice meal, and then she’d either stop taking his calls or tell him she wasn’t interested. A few flat-out told him that they didn’t think they were cut out to be with someone who was constantly in the newspaper.
Becoming a judge had been great for his career, but terrible for his love life.
He grabbed a frozen pizza from the fridge and put it in the oven, then took a hot shower while it baked. Wearing his favorite sweats and holding the pizza and a Sprite, he settled in to watch the show he watched every week at this same time, eating almost the same thing, wearing the same thing . . .
Good grief. What was happening to him?
He flipped off the TV and stared at the ceiling. He’d never been as surprised in his life as he’d been to realize it was Gwen on the phone. How long had it been since he’d seen her . . . it was his second year of law school, and they were walking opposite directions in the grocery store parking lot, and they’d said hello as they passed. That was a pretty pathetic final memory, and it brought with it a sharp pang of regret. He should have fought harder for her instead of letting life push them apart.
As he sat there, he could remember everything about her—the red curls that bounced around her face when she didn’t pull them back, the handful of freckles across her nose, the blue of her eyes that was so unexpected when they should have been brown or green. She’d told him once that only 1% of the earth’s population has both red hair and blue eyes, and that made her extra special. He shook his head. That wasn’t the only reason she was extra special, and he hadn’t realized it at the time.
He ate his pizza, not really tasting it, then threw his plate in the dishwasher. Maybe going to bed early tonight was a good idea, but as he lay there in the dark, of course his mind went right back to Gwen. Was fate giving them a second chance? It had to be—what were the odds of them finding each other again this way? Now the question remained, did they want a second chance, and what would they do with it? It had been so long—they weren’t even the same people anymore.
And then there was the second question—what does a person even wear at a ranch?
***
“Hey, Amber!”
Amber turned and waited as Gwen jogged up to catch her. “Hey, Gwen. Off for the night?”
“Yeah, just turned the desk over to Carly. Listen . . .” Wow. She’d thought that talking to Amber was a good idea, but now that she was about to do it, she felt all kinds of awkward. “Thanks for recommending the ranch to Gabe Grant. He arrives Monday.”
“He’s coming? Oh, that’ll be fun. He’s a great guy—you’ll really like him.”
Gwen looked down at the gravel of the parking lot and nudged it with the toe of her boot.
“That’s kind of the thing . . . I already do really like him. We sort of went to law school together.”
Amber’s eyes grew wide. “What? You went to law school? And you know Gabe? This sounds like a story I’ve got to hear. Come home with me—I’m making lasagna for dinner. Well, actually, I’m baking a frozen lasagna, but I’m putting it in the oven, so it counts.”
The two women crossed the street that separated the ranch from the row of homes owned by the Weston brothers. The house that belonged to Wes and Amber was decorated simply, neither one of them being into a lot of fuss, and Gwen always felt comfortable here.
“Can I help?” she asked when they entered.
“Nope. I’ve just got to put the pan in the oven.” Amber took care of that, then motioned for Gwen to take a seat on the overstuffed couch in the living room. “Okay, from the beginning.”
Gwen told her story for the second time that day, but she left out some of the parts she’d told Jaclyn—like still being in love with Gabe. She figured that might be a little awkward, considering that Amber knew him . . . and he’d asked her out. “So I just wondered if he’s changed a lot over the years,” she finished up lamely.
“Well, it’s hard to say since I didn’t know him back in law school, but he’s definitely still a classy guy. Good-looking as all get-out, runs a few times a week, snappy dresser. Smart, fun to talk to. You know, if it hadn’t been for Wes . . .” Amber wiggled her eyebrows. “No, just kidding. I’m not sure Gabe and I would have made it very far. But he’s going to make someone very happy someday.” She reached out and nudged Gwen’s shoulder. “I see you blushing.”
“Redheads just blush. It’s what we do,” Gwen protested. “I don’t know, Amber. I’m not as cute as I used to be. What if he’s expecting college-cute Gwen and he sees hotel-desk Gwen instead? That’s really not going to impress him.”
“What do you mean, you’re not as cute as you used to be? You’re stinkin’ adorable! And he shouldn’t expect you to look like you did in college—people change. It’s called life. Aren’t you glad you aren’t still in college?”