Spring's Delight

  Spring’s Delight

  Cowboy Season Book Four

  Kathleen Ball

  Copyright © 2018 by Kathleen Ball

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  This is for you, Dad with all my love!

  And to Bruce, Steven, Colt and Clara because I love you.

  Contents

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  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Epilogue

  The End

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  Luke’s Fate

  About the Author

  Other Books by Kathleen

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  Chapter One

  Colt O’Malley stood watching the sunrise in the big, Montana spring sky. He hadn’t slept, how could he? In fact, he hadn’t slept for days. Burying his brother, Caleb hadn’t been part of his plan, ever, but plans change in the most drastic ways.

  As he rubbed his hand over his unshaven jaw, he was surprised at the length of his stubble. He hadn’t changed his clothes in a few days either. As soon as he’d gotten home from the funeral, he’d thrown on some old clothes and rushed to the barn to muck stalls with the hope that keeping busy would distract him from dwelling on the heaviness of his heart. The last few days had been a horribly painful blur. It really didn’t matter how he looked. He didn’t care anymore. The only thing that still made sense was caring for the horses. They relied on him to get them well and to keep them safe. They were the only reason he got out of bed. They needed him.

  Nothing worked not excessive physical exertion and certainly not large amounts of whiskey. He’d tried both routes but neither helped, and bitterness filled his heart. He was a lone cowboy now. Caleb had been the last of his family, now he was gone too. Everyone was gone, and he was the sole owner of the ranch, land handed down over the centuries. The legacy would end with him.

  Grabbing his Stetson and coat, he headed outside. The ranch was cold, bitter even, and it matched his mood. There was plenty of snow, but he’d already plowed and shoveled yesterday so he’d have to find something else to tire him out today. Maybe if he moved some of the massive, round hay bales, he would finally exhaust himself and be able to pass out. Yeah right, he’d probably never sleep again.

  He noticed a truck coming up his long drive and swore. Why couldn’t people just leave him alone? It had been a week, and everyone still felt the need to try to cheer him up. Well, he’d had about all he could take. He didn’t want any more condolences or flowers, and he certainly didn’t want another casserole delivered; the women of Carlston weren’t very good cooks. The urge to go back in the house and slam the door was powerful, but he stood waiting for the truck to come closer. He’d just send the busybody on their way.

  His brow furrowed. Old Ed, the town loner, had a passenger with him. Old Ed didn’t like anyone bothering him so Colt thought, out of everyone, Old Ed would know to leave him alone. No one knew anything about Ed except that he moved to Carlston about forty years ago. A nice enough guy but he never talked much and he didn’t answer questions.

  Colt didn’t miss the shrug Ed gave him as he walked over to the passenger-side door. Colt widened his stance and crossed his arms. Whoever was with him was going right back to town.

  “This young miss was supposed to meet Caleb at the bus station. Didn’t know what to tell the gal so I brought her out to you.”

  “Just take her back. Caleb never mentioned a girlfriend,” Colt snapped.

  The girl walked toward him, her blue eyes were wide and filled with confusion. Hell, she didn’t know, and he’d have to be the one to tell her. Damn, why didn’t Ed tell her?

  “Caleb told me to come.” Her chin wobbled a bit, but she stared him straight in the eye. There was strength and determination in her eyes but it was tempered by her obvious nervousness. She didn’t seem like Caleb’s type, fun loving and clueless. Something was off about her.

  Colt shook his head. The girl wore a light jacket and sneakers, and she didn’t even have a hat to cover her lush, red hair. No, she didn’t belong here, and Caleb would have mentioned a new girl in his life.

  “Caleb is dead. We laid him to rest three days ago. You’ll just have to go back to where you came from.” He made his voice as gruff as possible hoping she would turn and run.

  She took a step back and covered her mouth with her cold-reddened hand. “I saw him in Texas just before the school break. He can’t be dead. We…we had plans. Are you sure?”

  “I’m damn sure. He’s dead and buried. Just go home. There’s nothing for you here. Go back to Texas and live your life. Finish college.” He gestured to Ed. “Take her back, and put her on a bus home.”

  Her whole world slowed, and she stared at this man with an aching chest. Her best friend was dead? How could he be dead? Caleb was the most vividly alive person she knew. He constantly delighted her with stories of his brother and ranch life. Turning away she only saw snow and more snow. Piles of it were everywhere. Her body chilled, and she shook her head. It couldn’t be true. Caleb would walk right out of the house, give her a big, bear hug and laugh. However, the pain in his brother’s eyes crushed her; she wasn’t going to see Caleb ever again. Now what? There was no going back. She bit the inside of her cheek as she turned back toward Colt.

  His brown eyes were filled with grief. The heavy shadows under his eyes indicated a lack of sleep, and his shoulders slumped in defeat as though he was about to fall over.

  Wrapping her arms around her middle, she stared at him. He was a big man, tall with wide shoulders. Somehow, he looked shrunken. “I’ll stay and make sure you eat. I’m assuming the job is still open.”

  Colt took off his tan Stetson and slapped it against his thigh. His dark hair hung past his collar, and it looked soft blowing in the cold wind. “Look, I don’t know what the hell you are talking about. There is no job. I don’t know what Caleb told you, if he really invited you here at all. It’s not his style to bring girls home.”

  Spring’s heart was in a vice that kept tightening. “He offered me a job keeping the books for you.”

  “Ed, take her back.” The bitterness in his tone was loud and clear.

  “No can do. This little gal was promised a job, and I think you should honor that promise.”

  “Then leave, I’ll take her back myself.”

  “Fine.” Old Ed turned and walked to his truck. When he got the door, he turned toward Colt. “You know I don’t go around handing out advice, but if I was judging by the way you look, I’d say she needs to stay.”

  Colt’s eyes raked her over, making her nervous. Finally, he sighed. “Let’s go inside, and get you something warm to wear before I take you back.”

  Numb inside and out, she followed him. The house looked much bigger than she’d pictured. The exterior was wood, covered in peeling paint, but the front porch looked ample. It was hard to judge, however, with all the blowing snow.

  Walking inside, she shivered. It was spring b
reak, and she thought it might be chilly still, but she didn’t have the money to buy a heavier coat or boots. She felt stupid arriving in her windbreaker and sneakers. The snow must be due to melt soon. Warmth was in full bloom in Texas already. Sure, there was a bit of snow remaining at home, but this whole area was still a blanket of cold, white snow.

  The front part of the house had an open floor plan, the kitchen and great room were connected, and a roaring fire in the massive stone fireplace welcomed her.

  “Have a seat, I’ll make coffee.”

  Spring nodded and cleared a place on the cluttered, threadbare couch. Caleb hadn’t exaggerated when he’d told her that they were barely keeping their heads above water. She didn’t mind poor. It was what she’d known all her life.

  Caleb had held out a helping hand when he invited her to work at the ranch. He knew what she’d been through, but it didn’t look as though she’d be staying.

  “So what did Caleb promise you? Were you two going to share a room?” Colt leaned his long body against the kitchen counter staring at her.

  Swallowing hard, her eyes widened as she stared back. She’d done nothing to deserve this. “Caleb was the best friend I ever had. I was in a bad situation, and he offered to help.”

  “How were you planning to pay him back? You were planning to pay him back, weren’t you?”

  “It wasn’t…we weren’t…we were just friends. He used to come to the diner I worked at every evening to study and drink coffee. I believed his offer of a job was genuine. Caleb didn’t seem the type that would have wanted me to pay him back.”

  Colt sighed and nodded. He grabbed two mugs from the wooden cupboard, and poured the coffee. “Anything in it?”

  “No, black is fine.”

  Colt stood before her looking even bigger. He handed her a mug and sat in a chair to the left of the couch. “You knew Caleb.”

  Spring was surprised that it was a statement instead of a question. “Yes. He was my best friend. I understand why you don’t want me here but truthfully, I have twenty-seven dollars to my name. He said that the pay would be sparse, but there’d be a roof over my head, and a place I could feel safe. I quit my job.”

  Colt knew he was a goner as soon as he looked into her shimmering eyes. To know Caleb was to know his generosity in all things. “Hell, I don’t even know your name.”

  “It’s Spring Reed.” She took her flimsy coat off exposing a too thin, angular figure.

  “Tell me what the job entailed.”

  Giving him a skeptical look, she proceeded to explain. “He planned to teach me how to do the paperwork. He said that you hated paperwork the most, and he wasn’t organized enough to do a good job at it. He also asked if I’d help with the cooking occasionally. He mentioned you were a good cook as long as it came out of a can.”

  That much was true. They did eat canned meals, and he did hate paperwork. The ache in his heart grew knowing Caleb had been looking to help him. He shrugged. “I haven’t even had time to keep up with the bookkeeping. I guess the best I can do is give it a try. Caleb trusted you enough to invite you here. That’s good enough for me. Caleb was good at sizing up a person’s character. He had a knack for picking out whose word was good and whose wasn’t.”

  Spring nodded and appeared relieved. She sipped her coffee, lost in thought for a moment. She put the cup down and gazed at him. “What happened to Caleb? How did he die?”

  More pain and regret washed over him. He didn’t want to tell the story again, but she deserved to know. “It was a snowmobile accident. It happened a week ago. The snow was coming down hard and fast, and little Rachael from next door called over here crying because her dog Snoopy was lost in the snow. You must know how Caleb was always trying to fix everything.”

  Colt noticed she winced at his last words. She was probably someone Caleb was trying to fix. Her story had a ring of truth to it, and on his brother’s behalf, he felt honor bound to give her a chance.

  “Caleb charged out into the snow, determined to help Rachael.”

  “Did he find Snoopy?”

  He ran his hand over his face. “Yes, he did.”

  “That’s good.”

  The silence in the room grew as the minutes ticked by, and he wondered if he should be talking. What was there to say?

  She was a little bit of a thing, and he thought there was something wrong with her shoulder since she flinched when she moved it. The house was in a shambles. Between being busy with the horses and Caleb’s death, he hadn’t picked up at all. Glancing around, the amount of clutter astounded him.

  “I’m not an easy man to get along with lately. I don’t want to be cheered up, and I don’t want you to tell me how or when to grieve. In fact, the less we talk the better.” Standing up, he gazed at her. She stiffened. “I’m going to find you a sweater. Think about what I said before you take the job.”

  Standing, he walked to Caleb’s room, opened the door and closed it behind him. He leaned against it, closing his eyes, trying to block out the image of Caleb’s broken body. The hole in his heart grew daily, and he didn’t know how to make it stop. Pushing away from the door, he found a sweater in the back of Caleb’s closet. He honestly couldn’t remember Caleb ever wearing it. Spring might as well get some use out of it. Lord knew Caleb didn’t need it anymore.

  She was another waif of Caleb’s. It wasn’t unusual in the least. Only instead of an injured animal, he’d brought a troubled woman to the ranch.

  Spring drank the last of her coffee, grateful it warmed her insides. There wasn’t even an open spot for her to place it on the coffee table. She was needed here, and it wouldn’t be charity; she’d be working for her keep. A hard man, so different from Caleb’s description, she hoped she could get along with him.

  Colt returned with a navy blue cardigan. He walked toward her and handed it to her. She put it on, wincing as she stretched her arm into the sleeves. “What’s wrong with your shoulder?”

  Ashamed, she looked away. “It’s nothing. Thanks for the sweater.”

  He didn’t say a word, and the silence grew uncomfortable. Glancing back, she was surprised to find him staring at her.

  Colt reached down, took her arm, pushed up her sleeve and swore. “Those are some pretty nasty bruises. Is that what Caleb was helping you with?”

  Pulling her arm away, she pushed her sleeve back down. “Yes.” It came out as barely a whisper.

  “Your shoulder?”

  “The same. It hardly bothers me.”

  “Caleb was right to invite you here. Like I said, I’m not easy to get along with these days, but I do treat women with respect. Right now I have to tend to the animals, but I’ll make us something to eat when I get back.”

  “I’d be happy to make something. I mean I don’t want to just sit around waiting until you have time to teach me the job.”

  “You can help out as soon as those bruises are gone.”

  Watching him leave, relief rushed through her. It was so hard to read him. He wasn’t the easy going brother Caleb told her about. He might not be agreeable or likeable even, but she had a place to stay for now. She hoped by moving to Montana, her ex-boyfriend, Billy would leave her alone and move on.

  The urge to be useful filled her, and she walked to the sink. She began cleaning the great, big pile of dishes. As soon as she had the sink cleared, she filled it again with the overflow of dishes strewn all over the counter. With some elbow grease, she just might have enough room to cook. Her shoulder hurt, but she’d endured far worse. For now, she’d mourn her friend and do a good job.

  It seemed incredibly odd to be at the ranch without Caleb. Her heart ached remembering his many kindnesses and contagious laugh. She’d had one true friend, and now she had none.

  Why didn’t doing the dishes take more thought? Memories of Caleb made her heart and her head, ache. Caleb’s passing was shocking and not knowing if she would have, a place to stay long-term scared her.

  “I told you I’d take care of brea
kfast.”

  The masculine voice startled her, and Spring whirled around, her soapy hands losing their grip on a glass that dropped to the floor and shattered. Colt took a step toward her, and she immediately readied for a fight. Her stance grew wider and her body tensed, but Colt didn’t come any closer. Why can’t I be normal?

  “It’s all right. I’ll just grab the broom.” Colt didn’t look angry.

  “I’m not usually so clumsy. Really, I’m not.”

  “Hey, it’s no big deal. It’s only a glass.” He vaguely smiled at her and began to sweep it up.

  It was as though she was cemented where she stood, and she didn’t know how to react. A broken glass was more than enough reason for Billy to hit her. Caleb was a gentle soul and from all the stories of ranch life he told, she assumed Colt was too. While her first impression hadn’t been the best, perhaps Colt did have a kind heart buried beneath his grief.

  She still refused to let her guard down for a stranger, even Caleb’s brother. Colt had a gruff aloofness to him. “I’ll replace it.”

  He straightened up, dumped the glass in the dustpan into the trash and shook his head. “Like I said, it’s just a glass.”

  After she looked into his eyes and still didn’t see any anger, she relaxed a bit. “I’ll have breakfast cooked in a jiffy.”

  “Tell you what, you wash and I’ll dry. It’ll go much faster with two.” He grabbed a towel.

  Spring nodded and with more care washed the rest of the dishes. She couldn’t keep her thoughts off Colt. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking, and it made her nervous, she was all too familiar with this feeling. Swallowing hard, she continued to focus on washing until all the dishes shined.