Forever Kisses (Romance on the Ranch Book 7) Read online

  Dovie said, "Oh no. I couldn't let–"

  He handed a twenty to the clerk. "And I'll have my usual."

  Cecelia joked, "I don't think I can make it strong enough for the spoon to stand up straight."

  He laughed and replied, "Well, give it your best shot. Pun intended." To Dovie he said, "Would you join me at that table over there?" He motioned across the room.

  Dovie's heart was pounding furiously. "Thanks, but I was just on my way out of town."

  He frowned. "What about your interview."

  "Ah, I guess I didn't think it would happen."

  He pushed his Stetson back. "Well, honey, I got it all set up for tomorrow."

  Cecelia handed him his change and said, "We'll bring your drinks to your table."

  Dovie's eyes widened. "You got the interview?"

  "Of course. When I say I'm going to do something, I do it."

  The lineup, that was now longer, was watching and listening to everything they said. Toby grinned. "I think we're holding up the line."

  Dovie was horrified. "Oh, my goodness, I'm so sorry," she said to everyone standing behind her.

  The elderly woman who had insisted she go first, replied, "Oh, no, we like knowing what's going on with Paxtonville's finest."

  Dovie felt Toby's hand on her back as he gently led her in the direction of the table. Dovie heard the clerk say, "Now what can I get for you, Mrs. Doolittle?"

  The genteel woman replied, "Oh, I'd like your advertised special."

  The clerk called to the baristas, "One Happy Zappy for Mrs. Doolittle."

  Toby pulled out a chair for Dovie and she hooked her cane over the back of it. At least everyone's attention wasn't still on her and the gorgeous cowboy. He removed his hat, said, "Excuse me," and went to hang it on the hat tree near the door, alongside a half dozen other cowboy hats. He returned and pulled out a chair. One of the baristas brought their drinks and Toby waited for her to sip hers before lifting his to his mouth.

  He said, "Now about that interview. I spoke with Sage and Sarah and they said they'd be happy to meet with you at their ranch tomorrow at three. I can pick you up and drive you there."

  "Don't you have to work?"

  "No. We only work half-days on Saturday." He sipped his coffee. "The Tanners don't agree to interviews very often."

  "Then why did they agree to this one?"

  "Well, I guess because I've known them all my life." He shrugged.

  Dovie lifted her cup to her lips. Should she stay or head out? She hadn't expected to cross paths with the cowboy again. She said, "Okay. But I checked out of my motel so I'll have to check back in. Tomorrow we can drive my van. Would you like to meet in the parking lot of Paxtonville's Finest Motel? You know where it is, right?"

  "I do. I'll be there at two-thirty. That'll give us plenty of time. The ranch is about twenty minutes from town."

  Chapter 2: Drenched

  Toby pulled his monster truck into the parking lot of Paxtonville's Finest Motel and easily spotted Dovie's van. He parked in the empty space next to it. Since he didn't know which room she was in, he waited for her to appear. At precisely two-thirty she opened the door directly in front of her van and peeked out. A surprised expression crossed her face when she saw him sitting in his truck. He hastily opened his truck door and jumped to the ground.

  Earlier, around mid-morning, black clouds had covered the sky and now intermittent flashes of lightning streaked across it. The rain was only a drizzle, but most likely there would soon be a downpour. He knew Dovie's van wasn't rigged for off-road conditions. His truck was the only way to travel to the ranch. Although there was a paved road to the main house, a long stretch was being replaced, and weather such as this would quickly create potholes. If Dovie refused to ride with him, they'd have to reschedule the interview. Not that he would mind. He'd gotten it into his head that he wanted to take her to dinner, and postponing the interview would keep her around longer.

  She opened her door wide as he approached. Only seconds later a huge lighting bolt flashed and thunder boomed.

  Toby took the opportunity to say. "I think we should ride over in my truck. Your van isn't set up for muddy roads."

  She bit her bottom lip and Toby almost grinned. He sure liked watching that. Quickly, he said, "It'll be a piece-of-cake getting there in my truck."

  She chewed her lip a little longer. "Okay. I guess I'm ready. I just need to grab my purse and briefcase."

  "I'll get them for you. Point me in the right direction. Do you have an umbrella?"

  She stepped under the awning with the aid of her cane and then nodded toward her room. "No umbrella. The purse and briefcase are on the floor beside the nightstand."

  Toby touched her arm. "Just wait right here for a sec." He entered the room, grabbed her things, closed the door, and walked back to her. "Is this all you need?"

  "Yes."

  "Great. I'll load them and then come back to help you." He walked the few steps to his truck, opened the king cab, and set her belongings inside. He turned around to see her walking across the portico.

  "I'm perfectly capable of getting to the truck," she said with some huffiness.

  Rain started pelting the ground. Toby said as he returned to her, "Yes, ma'am. I realize that, but there's no way you can climb into my truck."

  She looked from him to his truck and nodded. Even though they were still under the eave of the building, the rain was now slanting and covering them.

  Toby reached an arm under her legs and another around her waist and lifted her into his arms. Water splattered off the brim of his hat and onto her face and he wanted to lick it away. Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Not your type.

  By the time he had deposited her in his truck, the rain was coming down hard. Before closing her door, he glanced up and quickly asked, "Would you like me to go back to your room for a towel?" He'd expected to see an unhappy expression because she was so wet, but she looked almost ecstatic.

  "I love the rain!" She wasn't looking at him, but at the large drops pelting the windshield. "I remember happy times with my mother whenever it rains." She seemed to come back to the present. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to zone out on you. No, I don't need a towel."

  Toby didn't mind her zoning out. The woman fascinated him.

  She continued, "I'm only a little wet. I'll dry soon. But you're getting soaked."

  He stared into her eyes. "I like the rain, too."

  She held his gaze for a moment before glancing away.

  He reached behind her seat and retrieved a blanket. Setting it on her lap, he said, "I'd feel better if you covered up. I'd hate for you to catch a cold." He shut her door and ran around to the driver's side. She pulled the blanket around her shoulders as he hauled himself onto his seat. She glanced shyly at him and said, "You're a nice man, Toby. You never told me your last name."

  Quickly, he changed the subject. "I need to check the tarp in the bed of the truck to be sure everything is covered." He jumped to the ground and hurried to the back of his vehicle. He wasn't sure how much Dovie knew about his parents and he didn't want to give his relationship away. He wanted to surprise her. He pretended to tighten the tarp. When he returned to the cab, thankfully, she seemed to have forgotten about wanting to know his last name.

  On the drive out of town, he pointed out various houses and ranches and told a little about the occupants. He also gave a short history of the area.

  Dovie said, "I started to do some research this afternoon, but the internet went down. Probably because of the weather. I had just gotten to a page about Sage and Sarah Tanner when my Wi-Fi attachment went offline. After that, I tried the hotel's Wi-Fi, but it wouldn't connect either. So, since you know everyone in town, what can you tell me about Mr. and Mrs. Tanner?"

  Chapter 3: Slight Omission

  Toby stifled a smile as he imagined Dovie's surprise when she discovered her interview was with his parents. He said, "Well, the Tanners own a huge ranch outside of Paxtonville. They raise cattle an
d horses; farm some alfalfa, and…" now he did grin, "operate a dude ranch during the summer."

  "Really? I'll be sure to ask about that." Toby watched her pull a small tablet out of her pocket using her good hand and hold it in place with her prosthetic one so she could write.

  He returned his gaze to the road. "I didn't tell you something even better than that." He glanced back at her and smiled at the excitement in her eyes. "They host an honest-to-goodness wagon train adventure that's called the Covered Wagon Three-Day Trail Blaze. They've been doing it for years. In fact, Sarah met Sage when she stayed at the ranch and went on the wagon train."

  Dovie said, "Oh, that sounds romantic."

  Toby laughed. "From what I've heard, it was anything but—at first, that is. Sarah had previously met Sage in New York when he posed for the cover of one of her books and they didn't exactly hit it off. And when she came to the Lazy M to participate in the dude ranch, she had no idea Sage owned it."

  Dovie lifted her good hand to her mouth. "Goodness, I may have to switch this interview from ranching to romance. That is, if they want to talk about it, of course."

  Toby laughed and pointed out a few more places of interest and then Dovie asked, "So, how is it that you know Mr. and Mrs. Tanner."

  He cleared his throat. "Like I said, I was raised in the area and grew up knowing everyone."

  "Do you own a ranch?"

  "My father owns one, but someday it will pass to me and my siblings. I live on the ranch and work it, as well as run the vet clinic with my brother, who is also a vet."

  She nodded and jotted something in her notebook. She asked, "Where is your ranch located?"

  "It's close by." Toby turned off the road and pulled up to massive wrought iron gates with the words Lazy M ornately molded into the top. He punched the fob attached to his visor and the gates swung inward.

  Dovie's said, "Those are some impressive gates," then she glanced at the fob he'd just pressed.

  He hastily explained, "I come here often to check on the animals."

  The rain gentled as they started up the long winding drive, but when the asphalt ended, potholes marred the surface. Although Toby tried to miss them, the ride was bumpy.

  Dovie said, "I'm glad we took your truck. I can see how necessary these big trucks are for ranch work."

  They rounded a bend and came upon one of the prettiest views on the ranch. Even though the day had turned rainy, green pastures could be seen stretching toward foothills blanketed by pines, with distant high peaks rising into the clouds to frame the postcard perfect scene. Toby stopped the truck so Dovie could enjoy the panorama. A sound of wonder escaped her. "Ohhhh, this is so beautiful! I can only imagine it on a sunny day."

  Toby couldn't tear his eyes away from her smile. He asked, "Where's your home?"

  She glanced from the mountains back to him. "I'm from Seattle. I guess that's why I love the rain so much."

  "Were you born there?"

  "Yes. My mother moved there from Miami before I was born because her ultrasound had shown I would be physically challenged. She searched out the best medical facilities for my needs and decided Seattle was the place to be."

  "She sounds like a wonderful mother."

  Toby watched Dovie blink rapidly and quickly turn her face toward her window. Alarmed, he said, "Hey, I'm sorry if I said something to upset you."

  She waved her hand and he heard her sniff. "No, you didn't say anything upsetting. My mother died only a year ago and I still get emotional. And yes, she was a wonderful mother."

  Toby reached to offer comfort by touching her shoulder. Since she hadn't mentioned a father, he didn't ask. She gave a slight shudder and then turned back around. She said, "Hey, tell me about your parents and your siblings. You said you have a brother. What about other brothers or sisters? I'm an only child so I freely admit that I'm jealous of you."

  Toby laughed. "I'll tell you all about them on the drive back to your hotel. It's a lot to tell." He put the truck in gear and started forward again. They passed a large herd of cattle huddled under ancient oaks spreading their limbs like umbrellas. A couple of ranch hands rode horses around the herd checking for injuries or calves separated from their mothers. Toby explained what the cowboys were doing and loved the fascination lighting Dovie's eyes. When a few of the herd decided to run amuck, he laughed at her squeal of excitement when Beaner, Skipper, and two cow dogs went into chase mode. Of course, he didn't tell her that he knew the cowboys giving chase. She'd find out soon enough that she was on his family's land.

  Chapter 4: Not Cookin' with Grease

  Dovie was enthralled by the sight of cowboys and dogs chasing wayward cattle, and the fact that they were tromping around in the mud, made it even better. Toby drove his truck at a snail's pace so she could watch the show. It didn't take the men or dogs long to get the cattle rounded up and moving in the direction they wanted.

  "This is wonderful!" she exclaimed. "It's like watching a western on television. Have you ever chased cattle like that?"

  Toby chuckled. "More times than I can count."

  They drove a little farther and rounded another bend. Dovie gasped, "Is that the Tanner Ranch? It's so big and beautiful…and big." Her eyes roamed over two gigantic barns and several corrals, a dorm-like building, and pastures stretching toward distant hills. The main house wasn't overly large, but when you put the whole package together, it was magnificent. "It must be incredible owning such a ranch. I can't wait to meet Mr. and Mrs. Tanner."

  "Well, you won't have to wait long. They just stepped onto the porch."

  Dovie's heart started racing. She was about to interview a famous model and his romance writer wife. Toby braked in front of the wide porch and jumped from the truck, hurrying to open her door. He also opened the door to the king cab and reached for her cane, leaning it against the fender well. When he lifted her into his arms she hoped he couldn't feel how fast her heart was pounding.

  He said, "Just grab the cane and I'll carry you to the porch."

  Rather than argue in front of Mr. and Mrs. Tanner, she did as he asked and allowed him to carry her the distance. He gently stood her on her feet, but didn't completely release her until she got her balance. She smiled at Mr. and Mrs. Tanner and noticed another cowboy holding the front door open for a small red-headed woman. He followed her onto the porch.

  Dovie focused on the cowboy, squinted, and focused again. She was staring at another Toby! She jerked a questioning gaze at Toby.

  He laughed and said, "Dovie, I'd like you to meet my twin brother, Preston, and his wife Freckles, and…" he motioned toward Mr. and Mrs. Tanner, "my parents, Sage and Sarah Tanner."

  Dovie inhaled sharply. "Your parents!" she exclaimed.

  Toby smiled widely. "Yes."

  She frowned. "Why didn't you tell me?"

  His smile faded a little. "I just thought it was adorable the way you wanted so badly to interview them, and I knew I could make it happen. I really didn't think you'd–"

  Mrs. Tanner interrupted. "Hello dear. I must warn you that Toby is often impetuous. So, I hear you're the writer of a blog. You must tell us all about it and how you got started. Do you have a mailing list that I can join?" She grinned. "I suppose it would be a good idea if I introduced my husband, Sage."

  The very attractive middle-aged man standing beside Mrs. Tanner stepped forward. "Howdy, Dovie. Welcome to our home." He glanced at Toby and shook his head, but she could see he was stifling a smile.

  Toby's twin brother stepped forward. "My wife and I are pleased to meet you."

  His wife stuck out her hand. "The Tanner boys aren't always cookin' with grease, if you know what I mean, but they mean well."

  Her husband laughed, hugged the tiny woman to his side, and said, "Are we going to stand on the porch all day, folks?"

  Mrs. Tanner said, "Come on; let's go to the back deck. I've already got pitchers of iced tea waiting for us. And Freckles baked the most delicious peanut butter cookies. I've also got chips and
dip and salsa–"

  Her husband interrupted, "In other words, a feast."

  Dovie immediately liked all the family members, but she was having a difficult time with Toby's omission about his connection to this family. She felt like she was the butt of his joke.

  Preston held the door open and everyone waited for her to enter. Dovie stepped directly into a charming living room that had obviously been furnished with comfort in mind. Simply put, the home was the quintessential ranch house.

  Mrs. Tanner said, "Come this way, Dovie, we do most of our entertaining from the deck. It's enclosed so you don't have to worry about bugs."

  Toby said, "Dovie, I'll get your purse and briefcase out of the truck."

  Dovie followed Sarah Tanner to a patio that had a magnificent view of pastures. The herd she had seen earlier was now being moved by the same cowboys and dogs through the pasture behind the house.

  Mr. Tanner said, "Preston, I'm herding some of the cattle to the east meadow. Will you check with Beaner later to see if the head count adds up?"

  "Sure, Dad."

  Mrs. Tanner said, "Dovie, please sit wherever you like. Would you prefer sweetened or unsweetened tea?"

  "Sweetened, please." She chose a padded wicker chair facing the windows.

  Toby returned with her things and set them beside her.

  Mrs. Tanner lifted one of two glass pitchers with ice cubes clinking the sides and said, "Toby, honey, why don't you pour the sweet tea and I'll pour the unsweetened one."

  "Sure, Mom."

  While they were filling glasses, Mrs. Tanner said, "Now, Dovie, you must call us by our first names. No formal stuff."

  Dovie sipped her tea, which was delicious, and replied, "I will, thank you. And this tea is fabulous."

  Sarah said, "It's a staple around here, especially in the summertime."

  Sage said, "So, Dovie, what is it you'd like to interview us about?"

  Dovie set her tea on one of several coasters shaped like cows that were laid out on the coffee table in front of her. "Let me preface my answer by saying, I live in Seattle and about a month ago I went to my first rodeo—ever—and it was so exciting that it made me want to blog about cowboys and country living. I've always lived in the city, so I know nothing about ranching or farming…" She motioned toward the pasture, "…or cattle. And since I usually write on the same topic for several weeks, I decided to travel to Colorado, a state I've always wanted to explore, and write my articles first hand. It was while I was parked at a rest stop that I overheard two women discussing Paxtonville and all the famous people living there. On a spur of the moment decision, I turned my car around and drove to the town. So, in response to your question, I'd like to know why a famous model and romance writer are ranchers, and what a typical day is like for you."