They finished up the conversation and Gwen ended the call, feeling unsettled. Roger would want to be repaid as soon as possible. He wasn’t freeing all that money up to just give her the ranch and her horse. He was a rancher and a businessman after all. He knew the rodeo was her best chance for earning the kind of money paying him back would require, yet he wanted her to come home and sounded like he didn’t think she should compete at all.
Heaven knew she didn’t want to either but it was her only option—the only thing besides her skill with horses that she was really good at. With a heavy sigh, she turned Tutti toward the ranch. The sooner she finished arrangements with Wilbur the sooner she could get back to the foreman’s ranch house next door. The thought sent a rivulet of anticipation through her. Julián and Chris were her shelter in this storm and made it all more bearable. She’d talk with her dad and then have the rest of the night with them. She urged Tutti into a trot.
Chapter Twelve
Julián grinned as Chris showed him the final text message Gwen had sent to his friend earlier in the day. She’d referred to their place as home. That was a good sign despite how hard she worked to keep things “temporary.”
“It’s not a declaration or anything but it’s a start,” Chris whispered as they stood in the kitchen sipping their beers while Julián seasoned the steaks for the grill.
Gwen was currently setting her laptop computer up at the coffee table in the living room. Her father was supposed to be calling on Skype early in the evening. At least Julián hoped it was early because he had plans that involved Gwen that would take all evening if he had his way.
“You should’ve seen her on Wilbur’s horse earlier. She looked so carefree and happy, like she was ready to go into orbit. All this mess with the ranch and Zephyr is weighing heavily on her.”
“You considering getting involved financially? Taking care of things?”
Julián shrugged. It was entirely possible he had the answer to her situation but she was too proud to take his help. He also didn’t want to upset her applecart if she already had a workable solution, even if he didn’t care for the flaming hoops she was having to jump through to make it work.
Julián watched as Chris began assembling the ingredients for a margarita.
“What are you doing?”
Chris smiled as he set to work. “I told Gwen that Ethan had given me his Divine Margarita recipe and she asked if I’d make her one.”
Julián stifled a chuckle, recalling the effect that particular recipe had on another woman of his acquaintance the previous summer. He’d gotten to know Jayne Carter, when she was still Jayne Sheridan, Divine’s shy little librarian, over a couple of those margaritas.
“Careful with the Patrón or you’ll knock Gwen on her ass. Remember she has that video call with her with her dad coming up. Seeing his daughter drunk won’t inspire confidence.”
“Don’t worry. Ethan already warned me to mix it a little weak if she needed her wits about her,” Chris said as he measured out ingredients and then shook her Divine Margarita on the rocks. He salted the rim on a large margarita glass and poured the drink for her just as she came into the kitchen.
She grinned when she saw it. “Yummy! You have no idea how in the mood I am for one of these.”
“Why’s that?” Julián asked as he brushed hips with her. She snuggled against him and inhaled softly from his neck.
Chris handed her the frosty glass and she cooed after taking the first sip. “Perfect. I’m dreading this conversation with my dad a little. We’ve already talked. We can’t help what has already happened. I’m tired of justifying what I have to do. Roger keeps insisting I ‘come home’ when I don’t have a home because Dad lost it in a lame-brained gamble. Sorry.”
Julián saw the flush in her cheeks and knew she felt guilty for speaking that way about her father. It was obvious she loved him, flawed human being that he was.
He stroked her cheek and said, “Don’t apologize. I’m surprised you haven’t vented more anger about losing the ranch. It’s healthy to feel angry in this situation, love. I’d be much more concerned if you made excuses for him and ignored the fact that he made a lame-brained move.”
The musical chime of an incoming Skype call sounded from the other room. “That’s my dad.”
“We’ll be on the back deck grilling the steaks. You go take your call and enjoy your margarita.”
“I don’t mind if you hang around inside, Julián. Nothing new is going to get said.”