True Love at Silver Creek Ranch(62)

“It was. What have you two been doing with yourselves?”

“We both tried getting married,” Derek began.

“To each other?” Adam asked innocently.

“Naw!” Chad looked offended. “We’re not gay. We got divorced from women. Derek’s even a dad.”

Poor kid, Adam thought.

“We work for Sweet Brothers Construction,” Derek continued. “Good jobs and lots of building going on from Glenwood Springs to Aspen.”

“Good for you.”

“We didn’t know you were a cowboy,” Chad said, a bit too slyly, as if it had been rehearsed. He braced a hand on the door of a stall, then pulled away when Brooke’s horse, Sugar, tried to nip him.

“I wasn’t. But the Thalbergs offered me a job as a ranch hand while I’m in town. I’m learning a lot.”

“Is Brooke teaching you?” Chad asked, then sent a significant glance at Derek.

Adam didn’t know how he was supposed to miss that, but if they thought they were hiding something, then whatever. “Sometimes. Why?”

“Chad had a dance with her the other night,” Derek said. “They looked pretty good together.”

Adam arched a brow in surprise and just waited.

Chad rocked back and forth on his heels, wearing what he probably thought was a woman-magnet grin. “Think you can call Brooke here so we can say hi?”

Their bravado should be laughable—but Adam wasn’t laughing. “So basically, you’re using me to get to Brooke?”

Derek’s brow wrinkled. “Don’t see how anyone’s using anyone. We came to see you and Brooke.”

“But I’m supposed to somehow . . . smooth your way?”

Chad and Derek exchanged grins. “That’s mighty nice of you,” Chad said.

“Not today, boys. I have to get back to work.”

They looked confused but eventually left after Adam had to refuse them a second time. Hands on his hips, he watched them go, then turned and went back into the barn.

Josh was coming out of his workshop. “They left? You could have gone with them, you know.”

Adam grimaced. “They stopped maturing in high school.”

Josh cocked his head. “I heard them mention Brooke. Why didn’t you call her?”

“Because she wouldn’t want to see them.”

“Really? Good luck with that.” Josh grinned and returned to his workshop.

Adam went to search for Brooke and found her in the truck shed, starting and restarting the engine of the ATV that the teenager had stolen. “Is something wrong with it?” he asked, hoping he wouldn’t have to mention the kid.

“No, I thought it hesitated when it started, but it seems fine now.”

Adam was relieved. “Just wanted to let you know that Derek and Chad from the old days stopped by.”

She grinned, climbing off the ATV and grabbing a rag to wipe her hands. “So they tracked you down. I thought they might.”

“It was only a ruse to see you. I sent them on their way.”

Her eyes widened briefly. “You did? Why?”

“I knew you wouldn’t care to see them. They’re losers.”

“I know that—and I can take care of myself. Besides, maybe I’m interested in one of them.” She met his gaze, and suddenly a rueful grin appeared. “Well, okay, maybe not. But regardless, it’s up to me to choose, so please don’t act in my place.” She touched his arm as she moved past him toward the tool bench.

Adam went outside and took a deep breath of the cold. He’d acted as her protector without even thinking about it. Protecting people had been his job for ten years, but still . . .

He was already acting like Brooke was his, as if they had some kind of a relationship. Would that be so bad? he wondered, thinking of his promise to move forward in life rather than linger in pain and regret.





Chapter Fourteen





Friday evening, Adam went to spend time with his grandma, and once again, she was waiting for him at the door wearing her coat. He couldn’t see what outrageous dress she might be wearing, and that had him worried.

“Where are we going now?” he asked patiently.

“The Silver Creek Community Center,” she said, smiling at him. “I’m entertainin’ the Chess Club this evenin’.”

Adam blinked at her suspiciously. “Doing what?”

“Readin’ their cards, of course!” She held up a little drawstring bag. “I’m goin’ to teach them about the mysteries of tarot, too.”

Shooting pool and having a beer might be more enjoyable, but this night was his grandma’s. He followed her into the community center, an old brick factory that had been converted for the town into meeting rooms and even a large reception room for small weddings and other events. Grandma told him about the huge deck where people gathered for the Music to Eat By programs during summer lunches. In the reception room, he saw various small booths along one wall, advertising local business like music quartets and romantic picnic baskets made to order. Someone worked hard to play up Valentine Valley’s romantic reputation.