A Cowboy's Charm Read online

  She dumped the rake into the wheelbarrow before turning toward him. “You’re here!” She flipped her braid over her shoulder and started toward him.

  “Yes, ma’am, but I thought you were under the weather.”

  “I was, but I’m fine, now.” She pulled off her gloves. “You shaved off your mustache.”

  “I did.” He waited for her comment. Everybody seemed to have one.

  “Your lip, your choice. Are you going to start working on your Harley?”

  Clearly she didn’t want to spend time talking about his late, great soup strainer. Good. “That’s the plan, but I forgot to ask about a gas can and a funnel.”

  “I put them in the stall already.”

  “Why, thank you. Much appreciated.”

  “I also put kitty litter in there, just to be on the safe side in case you spill some gas. I always keep it on hand. Stuff happens.”

  “Now I see what everybody means. You think like a mechanic.”

  She tucked her gloves in a back pocket of her jeans. “Dad says I started taking an interest early, around four.”

  “That’s pretty darned young.”

  “Engines are so straightforward.” She gave a little shrug. “Way easier to understand than people.”

  He laughed. “Isn’t that the truth? Anyway, thanks for providing exactly what I needed. Guess I’ll get started.”

  “Can I watch?”

  “Absolutely.” He walked with her to the front of the barn and opened the stall door. Besides the items she’d mentioned, a green metal tool box sat on the floor by the bike. He glanced at her. “Yours?”

  “Just in case you need something you didn’t bring with you.”

  “I’m honored that you’d share your tools.”

  “I don’t usually.” She gave him a shy look. “But that bike’s in great shape for how old it is. I figure I can trust you.”

  “You certainly can.” Crouching by the tool box, he flipped the latch, opened it and gave a low whistle. “And I thought mine was well-organized.” He gazed up at her. “That’s the neatest tool box I’ve ever seen in my life.”

  She gave him that cute little gap-toothed smile and her blush temporarily blotted out her freckles. “Thank you.”

  “Ever worked on a motorcycle before?”

  “No, sir. Never had that opportunity.”

  “Well, you’re about to.”

  Her green eyes lit up. “Really?”

  “Might as well learn on a vintage Harley, right?”

  “Heck, yeah.”

  Quinn proceeded to have the time of his life coaching Faith. He assisted when necessary, but mostly he talked her through the process and let her have the hands-on experience.

  Along the way he fielded her questions about the engine and what he’d done over the years to keep it running smoothly. He ended up having her check out the engine, too. Working with her took longer than if he’d drained the fuel tank himself, but where was the fun in that?

  They were nearly done when Cody showed up. “Thought I’d find you here. Ready to go up to the house?”

  She smiled. “Quinn let me do it. Now I know how to get the fuel tank off a 1983 Harley and a whole bunch more about this bike. I think we should get one.”

  “And I think that’s a discussion for another day.”

  Faith glanced at Quinn. “Translated, that means he’s not on board with it. We’ll negotiate.”

  Quinn laughed. “I know all about that. Thank you for your help with my bike.”

  “I had a blast. I’d love to help solder it this afternoon, but I have back-to-back riding lessons.”

  Cody lifted his gaze to the ceiling. “Thank you, God.”

  She gave him a mock glare. “Quinn would be there and he knows exactly what he’s doing.”

  “I’m sure he does, but…” He glanced at Quinn. “Nothing against you, sir, but we’re—”

  “Getting married a week from Saturday.” Faith completed Cody’s sentence. “And you want to make sure I don’t catch my hair on fire. I get it.” She turned to Quinn. “Thank you so much. Keep the tool box until you’re finished.”

  Cody glanced at it in obvious surprise. “You loaned him your tools?”

  “Yes, I did.”

  “Hey, Quinn, you rate, buddy. She guards those with her life. I count myself privileged because she lets me use them if I ask her first.”

  “I count myself privileged, too. Thanks, Faith.”

  “You’re welcome.” She looped her arm through Cody’s. “See you tonight, Quinn.”

  He drew a blank. “Tonight?”

  “When we’re making favors. You said you’d be available.”

  “Which I most certainly will be. Wouldn’t miss it.” Especially now that he knew the bride a lot better. He was a little sad he wouldn’t be here for the wedding.

  But his life was in Spokane. Most of it, anyway. He couldn’t deny that a tender sprout had taken root in Eagles Nest.

  Chapter Nine

  Kendra had the checkbook open and was paying bills when Jim came into her office. She glanced up in surprise. “Hey, there. What’s up?”

  “You tell me. Cody sent me a text asking if I’d meet him here. He hasn’t arrived yet?”

  “Haven’t seen hide nor hair of that boy. And he didn’t mention wanting to have a meeting this morning. I suppose it could be about the new fencing he’s had his eye on.” She gestured to one of the two chairs in front of her desk. “Have a seat. I’m sure he’ll be along any minute.”

  “No doubt.” Jim settled into a chair and laid his hat on his knee.

  “Nice haircut.”

  “Thank you kindly. Deidre thinks it’s too short, but this is how I like it.”

  “And it’s your hair, not hers.”

  “Exactly what I said. I don’t tell her not to color hers every shade in the rainbow, now, do I?”

  Kendra laughed. “A wise man would never try that and I know you’re a wise man.”

  “I told her we didn’t need to be discussing our hair, meaning I wouldn’t discuss hers if she would stop complaining about mine.”

  “Did that work?”

  “Not really. Doesn’t matter. I love her and that’s that. She makes my life more interesting.”

  “She makes everyone’s life more interesting. I can’t imagine what I’d do without her.”

  “That makes two of us. Just the other day, she—” He glanced toward the door. “And here’s Cody and Faith. What a nice surprise. How’re you feeling, sweetheart?”

  “Much better, Dad. Thanks.”

  “That’s good to hear,” Kendra said. “I was wondering if I needed to come up there with a pot of chicken soup.”

  “No need, but thank you for thinking of me.” Her cheeks turned pink.

  Strange. Chicken soup wasn’t exactly a delicate subject. “Well, come and sit down, at any rate. Sorry, Cody. We’re out of chairs. You’ll have to hold up the wall.”

  “No worries.” Instead of leaning against the wall, his usual behavior when the chairs were all taken, he came to stand behind Faith’s chair. He rested his hands on her shoulders. “We won’t be here long.” His eyes sparkled like they did when he had good news to share. “We wanted to tell you this together, since—”

  “Oh, my God!” She leaped to her feet as the pieces fit together—Faith’s mysterious ailment that had apparently disappeared, her blush a moment ago and this meeting where Jim had to be present. “You’re pregnant!”

  “Yes.” Cody’s smile was a mile wide. “We’re going to have a baby. Which means you two—”

  “Are going to be grandparents!” With tears in her eyes, Kendra rounded the desk to start the hugging.

  She began with Cody while Faith jumped up and hugged her dad. Then Kendra moved on to Faith and finished up with Jim. She’d never been quite that familiar with Jim before, but it seemed appropriate since they were going to be grandma and grandpa to this baby.

  “This is so exciting.” Kendra
glanced at Jim, who looked shell-shocked. “Isn’t this exciting, Jim?”

  “Sure is. I never imagined…well, of course, since you two are getting married, I figured eventually, but I—”

  “We jumped the gun,” Faith said. “Once we set the wedding date, we decided what the heck, why bother with birth control? We want kids but thought it would take a while. Turns out it didn’t.”

  “It certainly didn’t.” Cody looked inordinately proud of himself.

  Kendra was blindsided by a flashback. Ian’s expression had been exactly like that when she’d discovered she was pregnant with Ryker. Like he deserved a medal or something.

  She was torn between laughter and tears. She ended up with a messy combination of both.

  Cody gathered her close. “You’re gonna be an awesome grandma.”

  “You bet I am.” She sniffed and backed away. “Got a bandanna for grandma?”

  He chuckled, pulled one out of his hip pocket and gave it to her.

  She blew her nose and handed it back to him with a watery grin. Returning a used bandanna was an old joke they shared.

  He laughed and tucked it in his pocket. “I suppose you’ll teach baby whozit that trick.”

  “Of course.” She gazed at him. So young, yet so confident. She had been, too. “When can we expect this bundle of joy?”

  Faith’s eyes shone with happiness. “Mid-December.”

  “A Christmas baby! That’s perfect. You two will be such good parents.”

  “I hope so,” Faith said. “But we’re counting on you and Dad as backup. I don’t know anything about babies and Cody doesn’t, either. He was the baby, whereas the other boys remember taking care of him.”

  “Don’t worry,” Kendra said. “We’ve got you covered. Right, Jim?”

  “Right.” Jim looked a little wobbly. If it hadn’t been eleven in the morning, she would have suggested they have a drink to toast this kid, Faith abstaining, of course. “Are we the first to know?”

  “Doc Pulaski is technically the first to know,” Cody said, “but she’s a vault. She won’t squeal until we tell her the word’s out.”

  “And when will that be?”

  Cody pulled out his phone. “As soon as I text my brothers.”

  “You’re going to text them to say they’re going to become uncles?” She was horrified.

  “Sure, why not? It’s the most efficient and democratic.”

  “You need to tell them in person!”

  “Not practical. We could control how we announced it to you two, but it could take me all day to track down my brothers. Besides, I’ll have to start with someone, and I guarantee before I made it over to the next one, word would somehow spread and the rest would already know and be upset because they weren’t my go-to.”

  “I see your point.”

  “I composed the text first thing this morning.” He hesitated. “But once I send it, all hell will break lose. Faith left her phone up at our place and we’ll head up there, because guaranteed we’ll be on the phone for a while. Is there anything else we need to discuss among ourselves before I pull the trigger?”

  “Yes!” Kendra clapped her hands together. “We should celebrate. Let’s do a family dinner. How about tonight?”

  “Can’t,” Faith said. “We have the favors to make tonight with my attendants and the Whine and Cheese Club.”

  “Oh, right. Then tomorrow night.”

  Cody shook his head. “It’ll be Friday night at the GG. Bryce and Nicole usually do a number at intermission. Same on Saturday night.”

  “Do you know if Nicole is doing her solo gig on Sunday night?”

  “Maybe not. They’ve been trying out some new musical groups to buy her some free time on the weekend. Sunday night could work.”

  “I’ll find out.” She glanced at Jim. “I know you’ll want to tell Deidre, but if you don’t mind, I’d like to break the news to her.”

  “Yes, ma’am. You have the prior claim, growing up with her and all.”

  “Better get prepared with a group text, then, Mom.” Cody winked at her.

  “You can text if you want. I plan to call.”

  “Are you sure about that? As soon as Zane reads the one I’m about to send, he’ll tell Mandy, who will tell Jo, who will tell—”

  “Okay, okay! I’ll text!” She grabbed her phone off the desk. “Do I have time to add a dancing baby?”

  “Sure.” Cody lounged against the edge of the desk. “I’ll wait.”

  She typed in the message and glanced up from her phone. “I’m all set. Send yours. I’ll wait two minutes and send mine.”

  He looked over at her desk. “Anything urgent that you have to finish before lunch? Because I guarantee you won’t get anything more done this morning once we send these texts.”

  “Nothing’s critical. Oh! I didn’t even think to ask. Do you know yet if you’re having a boy or girl? I’ve heard you don’t have to wait long these days to find out.”

  “We decided we didn’t want to know,” Faith said. “We told Doc Pulaski and she promised not to tell us.”

  Jim nodded. “Good decision. Nothing wrong with a little suspense. Makes the outcome more exciting.”

  “I agree, Jim. I’m going to add that info to my text.” She typed it in. “Saves people asking.”

  “Then are we all good here?” Cody held up his phone. “Once this starts ringing, Faith and I will vamoose. I don’t want to turn the office into a call center.”

  “I’m ready.” Kendra met his gaze. “Do you feel like the guy at the race holding the starter pistol?”

  “I kinda do. Doc Pulaski said something that’s stuck with me—Your life has changed and it’ll never change back.”

  Kendra smiled. “But the best part is, you won’t want it to.”

  Chapter Ten

  Now that Quinn had examined the fuel tank, he doubted that soldering it would fix the problem. He’d give it a shot after lunch, but he wasn’t confident about the outcome.

  Because of that, he’d left several messages with friends he’d made in the fifteen years he’d been riding the bike. The network of Harley owners was large and dedicated to helping fellow riders. Someone was sure to have a lead on a replacement tank in this area.

  He was washing up in the miniscule cabin bathroom when Kendra’s text came in with a suggested time to leave for town. He responded that he’d be ready.

  I have exciting news, she texted back. And Ryker’s joining us for lunch.

  Great! He’s your oldest, right?

  Right. Will you please text Roxanne?

  Sure.

  He sent Roxanne a message advising her to give them extra time for a tour of the store before she showed up. No point in interrupting her work any longer than necessary.

  Then he set down his phone and finished changing into the clothes he’d worn this morning. He wasn’t the least bit surprised Ryker was joining them for lunch. In fact, the guy was showing up later than Quinn would have expected.

  Besides being the oldest, Ryker was an Air Force vet. He likely had a protective streak a mile wide when it came to his mom. Quinn was about to be scrutinized.

  Fine with him. He took the matted five-by-seven and eight-by-ten prints out of his bag. He’d created small-scale originals and made prints of those instead of using his larger works. The format had been a good change of pace.

  He’d wrapped each one individually and then bundled them all together into one neat package that had been easy to transport. Putting on his hat, he picked up the parcel and left the cabin. Showtime.

  On the way to the house he saw Jim down by the new barn and gave him a wave. Jim waved back before disappearing through the double doors.

  Quinn figured he’d made a friend, especially if Faith had mentioned anything about working on the Harley. He’d bet Jim was as fiercely proud of Faith as Quinn was of Roxanne.

  A muscular black truck was parked near the house. Ryker’s, no doubt.

  Quinn’s boot heels t
apped against the flagstone-paved walk as he headed for the front porch. The fire pit and picnic tables were off to his left and he gave them a fond glance before climbing the steps. Wild Creek Ranch was growing on him.

  Pausing at the front door, he rapped on it.

  “Come on in!”

  Kendra’s cheery greeting jacked up his pulse rate. She sounded excited. Happy. He opened the door, expecting Ryker to be inside with her.

  But the living room was empty and she was alone when she came out of the kitchen drying her hands on a towel. Her cheeks were flushed. “I have the best news. Faith and Cody are having a baby!”

  “Kendra, that’s wonderful!” He put down his parcel on the nearest surface, crossed the room and pulled her into a hug. Then he let her go just as quickly and glanced around. “Sorry. Wasn’t thinking. Where’s Ryker?”

  “He walked up to Cody and Faith’s house to congratulate them in person. He should be back any minute. Let me get rid of this towel. I was starting the prep work for tonight’s party.”

  He followed her into the kitchen. Any minute meant he’d better keep his hands to himself. He shoved them in his pockets. “So when’s this bundle of joy due?”

  “Middle of December.” She combed her hair back with her fingers. She’d taken it out of the ponytail and had likely worked some magic with a curling iron. “There was something else I needed to tell you, but this baby news has me all flustered. I can’t remember what it was.”

  “It’ll come to you.” He itched to touch her. “Your hair looks nice.”

  “Thanks. I wanted to…well, it doesn’t matter. Anyway, there’ll be a little McGavin around during the holidays. That hasn’t been the case for more than twenty-five years.”

  “Should be fun. You’ll be a—”

  “I know. Grandma Kendra. Can you believe it?”

  “No, frankly, I can’t. Nobody who looks at you will believe it, either.”

  “I’m thrilled about this baby. Over the moon. But…”

  “Not quite ready for the designation?”