Mason (Remington Ranch Book 1) (Contemporary Western Romance) (16 page)

“And what did he say about it last night?”

“I didn't give him a chance to say anything. Seeing him with April brought back all the hurt and I had to get away. I left and came home.”

“So you still haven't talked it through with him?”

She shook her head.

Her dad shrugged. “Seems to me that you need to. It still don't make sense to me, love. And you know, when things don't make sense there's usually a reason. You're missing something. I can't believe he would say all that, but you heard him. It just don't make sense. He was devastated when you didn't come home. As far as I know he never went out with April.” He met her gaze. “But I'm just guessing. I don't have all the facts. But neither do you. You need to talk to him.”

“I know. I'm going out to the barn this afternoon.”

“Good. I can't believe the two of you won't be able to figure it out. You're meant to be with him, Gina. No two ways about it. I've known it for years, just been waiting for you to get your act together.”

Gina gave him a sad smile. “I don't know what to think, Dad. I love him...”

He grinned. “You're finally admitting it, so that's progress!”

“Maybe, but I'm not sure it will be enough.”

“It will be. If you both want it enough and you're prepared to work together instead of keeping secrets.”

She nodded. “I figured that out already.”

“Good. So what are your plans for the day? What time are you going out there? That realtor fella called and wanted to bring someone out to look at the place. I told him I'd get you to call him back.” He gave her a pleading look. “I was hoping you might tell him we don't need him anymore? That we're not selling after all?”

Gina closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I'd love to be able to do that, but I'm not sure that we can. I don't know how much I'm going to be able to bring in to support us. Let's put them off for a while until I figure it out, okay? I'll tell them we can't have any showings this week.” No way did she want Guy coming out here. “And I'm going to see what I can put together with Cassidy to bring some money in. Maybe we won't have to sell, but just give me a little time?”

He nodded. “Whatever you think is best, love.”

She smiled at him if only she
knew
what was best.

Mason had spent most of the day working the new mares in. It was calming to him, to be out here putting them through their paces. He enjoyed bringing on the green youngsters. This latest group he'd bought at auction down in Sheridan. Shane had his eye on a couple of them for the dude ranch and Mason wanted to make sure they were bomb-proof before he'd allow them to take novices up into the back country.

He watched a green, Chevy pickup turn into the long driveway, kicking up a dust trail as it came out to the barn. What was Carter doing out here? Mason turned out the mare he'd been working with and headed over to meet his brother. They didn't get to visit much these days, but Mason wasn't in the mood today—he had too much else on his mind right now.

Carter jumped down from his truck and slapped Mason on the back.

“How's it going?”

Mason shrugged. “I've had better days. How about you? What brings you out here in the middle of the week?”

“Can't I stop by to see my brother without needing a reason?”

“You can, but you don't normally. Is everything okay?”

“Everything's okay with me. I'm more worried about you. Talk got around that Gina walked out on you at Pine Creek last night. I wanted to see how you're doing, that's all.”

Mason smiled. “Thanks. I don't know how I'm doing. I found out last night that something I did to make sure she was okay, turned out to be the thing that broke us up. She's coming over to talk about it later, but I don't know what she's thinking. I'm not sure if she wants to get past it or if she's going to tell me that she can't.”

Carter nodded. “Want to talk about it?”

“Nope.”

“I didn't think so.” He shrugged. “I don't know why I came really, just wanted you to know I've got your back if you want it.”

Mason punched his arm. “Thanks, bud.” Carter was the quietest of the four of them. He didn't tend to say much of anything, but he was always there whenever any of his brothers was having a hard time. He owned a nursery and landscaping business on the edge of town and had built himself a little house up there a couple of years ago. He usually came down the valley on the weekends for a family dinner or barbecue, but it was unusual to see him out here in the week. “Are you doing okay yourself?” asked Mason, wondering if there was more to this visit than brotherly concern.

Carter shrugged again, looking uncomfortable. “I guess. Guy Preston was over at the nursery the other day, pricing out landscaping for a new place. He said he's buying Gina's dad's place and...” he hesitated.

Mason thought he had a pretty good idea of what was coming. He waited.

“Well. He was talking as though a night with Gina was going to be part of the deal.” He studied Mason's face. “I thought you should know.”

“Don't worry. I do know.” Mason felt sick to his stomach at the thought that Guy had cost him ten years with Gina. He knew Gina would never do it, but the thought of her sleeping with him had the pulse in his temple throbbing again.

“She wouldn't, Mase. You know that. Even if the two of you weren't back together. Gina's not like that.”

“I'm not sure we are back together, but you're right. She'd never go anywhere near him.”

“You think they'd sell to him?”

“I don't.” He didn't add that they wouldn't because he'd buy the place himself before he'd let that happen.

“Okay, well I guess I'll get my dumb ass outta here then,” said Carter.

“Want to come back over to the cabin for lunch since you're here?” Mason hated for him to drive all the way down here for a two-minute conversation. He wasn't prepared to talk about it all because he didn't know what to think, let alone what to say, but he didn't want Carter to leave either.

Carter grinned. “You know I'll always stick around if you feed me.”

Mason laughed. “True. What time are you coming down here on Sunday? Are you going to help get the party set up?”

“Sure am,” said Carter as he followed Mason back up to the house. “There are going to be a lot of people out here and I don't want Mom overdoing it, trying to get too much done by herself.”

Mason nodded. “Yeah. I figure if we all get together we can take on most of it and she can do the light stuff. I've noticed lately that she gets tired fast.”

“They're getting old, Mase. Has Dad talked anymore about taking her to Arizona for the winter?”

“He has. He keeps handing more off to me and Shane and Chance. I think they're about ready to step back.”

“I do, too. I'll move back down here and help out with anything you need me to anytime, you know. Just say the word.”

That surprised Mason. Carter was all about family, but he had enough on his own plate. “You've got your hands full with your business, haven't you?”

“I sure have, but if you need me, all you have to do is say so. Family comes first for me. You know that.”

Mason had to wonder if everything was okay with Carter. He didn't get to ask. As they approached the cabin, the front door swung open and Chance grinned at them. “Why is it that anytime I fix something to eat, at least one of you always shows up?”

Mason laughed. “Hey. I didn't know you were back. How did it go?”

“Yeah, we got the whole herd up to summer pasture. Looks like it should be a good year. I'm beat though. I just got back in and I plan to eat and then sleep. Lucky for you two, I made enough to feed everyone for a couple of days so come on in. Eat up.”

Mason watched Carter and Chance as they ate. Chance felt like a fifth brother, he'd been around for so long and they were so close.

He looked up and grinned. “Are you and Gina back on track then?”

Mason pursed his lips. “Not quite, no.”

Chance frowned. “You'll figure it out.” He wasn't one to talk about women or anything to do with relationships. Mason had never known him to have one—not a relationship, he'd certainly had his fair share of women. When he thought about it, they were all held prisoner by their past in some way. He’d never been able to get over Gina. Chance had come here from California—via a stint in prison. He'd been escaping a tragic past, but it seemed he'd never escaped it, just moved away from it. He hadn't moved on any more than Mason had. Carter was in the same boat. As so many guys around here seemed to, he'd married his childhood sweetheart straight out of high school. They'd lived in one of the cabins that Shane now used to accommodate his guests. Carter had come home one night and found her in their bed with one of the ranch hands. She'd left with the guy the next day. Mason had never known Carter to even date another woman since then. Perhaps that was why he was so concerned about him and Gina?

He grinned at Mason. “I think I need to come back down here more often if I'm going to get fed like this when I do.”

Chance laughed. “Well, don't expect me to be the one cooking when you do. This is me done. Now I'm going to catch up on some sleep. It was good to see you, Carter.”

“Yeah, you too, and thanks for lunch. I'll return the favor sometime. I'd better get going myself.”

Mason followed him out to his truck. “Thanks for coming down.”

“Sure thing. Sometimes I feel like I'm too far out of everything, being up there in town and all. I just wanted to remind you that whenever you want me, I'm around.”

Mason nodded. “I appreciate it.” He watched Carter drive away before heading back to the barn. He wanted to get some more of his paperwork taken care of before he needed to get Annie and Storm saddled up and ready. He wasn't even sure if Gina was coming. She hadn't replied to his text, but he was pretty sure she’d be here.

~ ~ ~

Gina's stomach was tying itself in knots by the time she pulled up at the barn. Since she'd talked to her dad this morning, she'd been driving herself nuts. Why hadn't she talked to Mason about what she'd heard him say? Why had she thrown away everything they'd shared? She knew why. Because she'd heard from his own mouth that he didn't want her anymore. What woman would stick around after that? Whatever he might have to say about what had happened ten years ago, she wondered what else he would say about what might happen now. Did he really want a shot at forever? Was she prepared to take the risk? She cut the engine when she saw him appear in the open doorway to the barn. She'd tormented herself with those questions all day. She wasn't going to be able to find the answers by herself. She needed to talk to him. And there he was.

He was leaning in the doorway, watching her get out of the truck. Damn him, why did he have to be so handsome? Broad shoulders, narrow hips, such a handsome face—even without its usual smile.

He didn't come to her when she got out. He just stood there waiting for her to make her way across the parking lot to him. It felt strange. He'd always been one to come to meet her as soon as he saw her, wherever they were. There seemed to be some meaning in the way he stood there waiting for her to come to him. It was up to her to close the distance between them. That thought stuck in her head. Was she the one who had caused the distance? No. He had.

She stopped before she got to him and held his gaze. She'd come most of the way to him, but it was important to her that he do the same. She needed to know that it wasn't going to all be up to her. If they were going to be able to come back together they both needed to put forth the effort.

He seemed to understand that. He gave a slight nod and pushed himself off the doorframe where he'd been leaning. His long stride closed the final gap between them in a few steps. He stood before her, his eyes boring into hers. She felt an almost overwhelming urge to throw herself into his arms, but she resisted.

He reached out and put his hand on her shoulder. The warmth of it spread through her, untying the knots in her stomach and making her relax a little. “We've got some talking to do, huh?”

She nodded.

“Annie and Storm are all ready to go. What do you say we head up to Overlook Point? It won't take long, and we can let them graze up there while we talk.”

“Okay.”

When Mason brought Annie out, Gina buried her face in the mare's neck. “Hello, beautiful. I've missed you.” Annie had been such a huge part of her and Mason's time together. Gina loved her and had missed her. From the way she nuzzled into Gina's neck, it seemed the feeling was mutual.

Mason brought Storm out and Gina had to say hi to him, too. Just like his rider he was handsome and strong, but older than Gina remembered. He'd been a headstrong youngster back then, now he was a seasoned old pro. As soon as she swung herself up into the saddle Gina felt as though she truly was home.

The horses knew their way up to the point well enough. Annie fell in behind Storm and the two of them picked their way up the path through the trees. It was still early in the season, recent rainfall had filled the air with the scent of juniper—the scent of home, Gina couldn't help but think. She watched Mason's back as he rode ahead of her. The set of his broad shoulders made her feel uneasy. She kept re-running last night's conversation in her mind. From what she'd said, he must know that she'd heard him talking to Guy that night. He must know that she'd heard what he'd said about her, and about April. After not wanting to talk to him about it for all these years, now she was impatient to do just that. She wanted to hear what he had to say. Mason didn't seem in the same kind of hurry as she was. He led the way on Storm and made no attempt at conversation. It was strange not to ride beside him, but the trees would open up soon, the trail would widen, and she'd be able to bring Annie alongside. In the meantime, all this riding in silence was causing the knots in her stomach to retie themselves.

Once they emerged from the pines, Gina urged Annie into a trot to catch up. Mason met her gaze. She couldn't figure out what his eyes were trying to tell her, but it seemed as though there was an awful lot that needed to be said. Gina bit back all the questions she'd been about to launch into, deciding instead to wait and hear what he had to say.

“From what you said last night, I'm guessing that you heard me talk to Guy Preston?”

She nodded.

“And you believed what I told him?”

She nodded again. Why wouldn't she?

Mason shook his head sadly and rode on in silence.

When they reached Overlook, Gina reined Annie in and stared out across the valley. It was so beautiful up here. Even under these circumstances the view took her breath away. The valley lay before them, yellow fields turned to green around the edges as the land rose, all ringed with snow-capped peaks. She and Mason had come up here so many times, she'd always remembered it as one of their special places. As she watched him dismount from Storm, she wondered if today would make it an even more special place or whether it—and they—would be nothing more than a memory once they got done talking.

Mason took care of the horses before showing any sign that they'd come up here to talk. Gina didn't know where to begin, so she waited. Once Storm and Annie were tethered and grazing happily, Mason came back to the point where she was standing, taking in the view. He held his hand out to her. She looked at it before meeting his gaze, then nodded. She let him lead her out onto the rocky promontory, the 'Point' that gave this place its name. It was windy, but then it always was up here.