Chapter 1
The dark-haired cowboy rode silently on his horse up on the ridge, surveying the scene below him. The ranch hands were busy with branding time and Heath was right there with them. Nick was usually there too, but he wasn't up to being around people just yet. It had only been a week anyway, he reasoned, and he should be allowed his space. He knew he couldn't stay like this forever, though he wondered if he would ever be the same man he was before.
Would he ever feel like laughing again? Joking with the boys or playing a trick on Heath and Jarrod or teasing his younger sister? Would he ever know the happiness again he had felt over the last few months? His mother had assured him that he would, in time. Even Jarrod, in his brotherly way, had assured him that there would be joy again. And Jarrod should know.
Heath just watched him silently and would sit with him if Nick would let him get close enough. But the last thing Nick Barkley wanted right now was any comfort. He needed his pain and he kept it wrapped tightly around himself, like a cloak. He rode on and let his mind drift back four months.
Nick and Heath rode into town to meet Jarrod. There was some ranch business to take care of and Jarrod had said he needed their signatures on some papers. It was getting to be lunch time when the men finished their business and they all agreed to get something to eat.
The hotel was busy but they were shown a table quickly. Nick, having already decided what he was going to eat, sat looking around. It was then that he spotted her.
He had never seen such a raven haired beauty in his life. And her dark eyes, almost black from what he could tell, were big and smiling. Jarrod and Heath who had been looking at their menus both noticed Nick's attention was drawn to the other side of the room. They turned and saw the young waitress as she took an order from a table of men. Jarrod turned to look at Heath who gave him a wink. Their boisterous brother was smitten again.
The waitress left the table and took her order back to the kitchen. Nick's eyes followed her everywhere she went. She finally came over to their table and gave them a beautiful smile. Jarrod could see immediately why Nick was attracted to her. Her features were delicate, and her slight frame was curvy in all the right places. Had Jarrod not already been interested in someone else, and if Nick hadn't already shown interest, he might have considered getting to know this young lady as well.
"Hi. I'm Ava. Do you know what you want?" she asked, her pencil and pad poised.
"Oh, yeah. I sure do," Nick said, with a flirting grin. She looked at him in surprise and Heath thought, Uh oh. She's gonna let him have it!
"I meant, do you know from the menu, what you would like," she smiled sweetly at him.
Jarrod and Heath couldn't help but chuckle. They gave her their orders and she disappeared behind the swinging door. Nick's eyes didn't even move from that spot until she reappeared. She had a tray loaded with food and was taking it to the table of men she had taken an order from earlier. After she had given the last man his plate, he patted Ava on her backside. Nick stiffened. He was about to go over and give the guy what for when he saw Ava turn around. He knew a moment of disappointment when she smiled at the man. She must have enjoyed that, Nick thought. What his eyes saw next, he would remember forever. Just as sweetly as you please, Ava took the man's plate and dumped it in his lap. That the man was shocked was evident, and the men around him laughed as he tried to wipe the hot food from his pants.
Nick's respect for Ava grew and he smiled. Jarrod and Heath had also witnessed the scene and couldn't help but admire the feisty waitress as well.
"She's sure a spitfire, ain't she?" Heath asked.
Nick nodded approvingly. "Yeah," was all he said.
After lunch, Jarrod parted ways with his brothers and headed back to his office. Heath said he was going to pick up a few supplies and asked if Nick was going to join him. Nick was about to answer yes when he saw Ava coming from behind the hotel. As she walked down the sidewalk, Heath chuckled and told Nick he would see him later.
Nick followed the young woman and finally caught up to her as she stopped to admire a dress in one of the shop's windows.
"Excuse me," Nick said with his hat in his hand. Ava looked up at him in surprise, and though her look was guarded, she smiled.
"I don't think we've been properly introduced. My name is Nick Barkley."
"I'm Ava Simpson," she said, holding out her hand. Nick took it and held it for a moment. There was an undeniable charge that went through them. They both felt it and Ava slowly took her hand back, continuing to smile at the tall cowboy.
"Are you new in town? I don't recall seeing you at the hotel before," Nick asked.
"I've been here a few weeks. Barkley. That name sounds familiar." Ava thought for a moment. "Are you a lawyer?" she asked.
"No, that's my brother, Jarrod. I own a ranch," he said, then quickly amended, "My family owns a ranch. A little ways out of town."
Ava continued to smile at Nick, and he wasn't sure if he was going to be able to continue breathing. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life.
"I was wondering, Miss Simpson. It is Miss?", he asked, silently begging her to say it was.
"Yes, but I prefer Ava."
"All right, Ava. I was wondering if you would like to go out on a picnic with me sometime?"
Ava tilted her head and thought for a moment. She smiled coyly and said, "I don't accept invitations from men I don't know."
Nick hid his disappointment.
"At least not the first time they ask. If they have the courage to ask again, I usually say yes. Good day, Mr. Barkley."
Ava turned and began walking down the sidewalk again. Nick stood there dumbly, going over her words. He smiled and then ran up to her again.
"Excuse me, Ava," he said. She turned to him.
"Yes, Mr. Barkley?"
"Uh, Nick. Please call me Nick."
She nodded and waited for him to continue.
"I was wondering if you would consider joining me for dinner? I realize you don't accept the first invitation. So I decided to wait and ask you again."
Ava smiled. She had liked Nick immediately when she saw him at the hotel.
"I would be honored, Nick."
"Tomorrow evening? I'll come and get you around seven?"
Ava nodded and told him she was staying at Mrs. Peterson's boardinghouse. Nick watched her walk away. He realized he was standing there with a silly grin on his face. He tried to school his features, but he wasn't very successful. He met up with Heath who gave him a knowing smile when he said he had plans for the next evening.
Ava had had a good day. No one put their hands on her at work and for that she was thankful. She was not going to have any tip money left if she had to keep paying for the meals that she dumped into the laps of those rude men. If they would just leave her alone! She sighed.
Her mind turned to Nick and the dinner they would share that evening. She was very excited about seeing him again. She had thought he was a little bold with her when she had asked for their orders at lunch yesterday, but had to admit she found him charming.
She took her time getting ready. She chose her best dress, one that fit her well and the color was perfect for her. She hoped he liked it and then shook her head.
Calm down, Ava. It's just dinner. You don't really know him either. He could be just like Lance was. So be cautious! The stern talk helped her calm her nerves and reined in her emotions. She had just finished putting the finishing touches on her hair when Mrs. Peterson knocked on her door.
"You have a guest, Miss Simpson," the plump woman told her. Ava really liked Mrs. Peterson. The woman had some stern rules but was fair and didn't appear nosy. Ava smiled. At least not too nosy.
"Thank you. I'll be there in just a moment," Ava replied and went to get her wrap. As she reached for it, she was seized by a sudden pain in her stomach and had to wait a moment to catch her breath. The pain receded and she straightened up. She took a few deep breaths. I must have eaten something funny, she thought to herself.
When she entered the parlor a few minutes later, Nick was standing in conversation with Mrs. Peterson. His eyes locked with Ava's and he forgot about the older woman. Mrs. Peterson wasn't offended. Ava was a beautiful woman, and she could tell Nick was smitten. She excused herself to allow the couple some privacy.
"You look wonderful," Nick said softly, taking Ava's small hand in his. Ava smiled. Nick couldn't help but think she looked a little pale, and had to wonder if something were wrong, but didn't feel the liberty to ask.
"Shall we go?" he asked instead and held out his arm to her.
They walked out to the buggy. Nick helped her in, and they rode off.
"How was your day?" Nick asked, hoping she would let him know if she had had any more problems with the men at the hotel.
"It was rather good actually. What about yours? What did you do on the ranch today?"
Nick told her all about his day and what he had done. It wasn't anything too exciting, but Ava listened with rapt attention. Nick loved to talk and it appeared that Ava loved to listen. It seemed a perfect combination.
They arrived at the Cattleman's Club. When Nick walked in with Ava on his arm, he felt as though he were the luckiest man in the world. He had never been so captivated before. He had been out with many women, but they were all weak comparisons to Ava. Their meal was delicious and Nick noticed that Ava had color in her cheeks again. She must have been nervous, he thought.
After dinner, they took a walk along the sidewalk, her arm safely tucked in his. Their conversation was relaxed and fun. Finally, Nick turned them around to get the buggy. It was getting late and Ava needed to be at work early in the morning. Nick asked if she were available for dinner again tomorrow night. She smiled sweetly as she accepted his invitation. He asked what time she got off of work and said he would be by shortly thereafter. He wanted to take her out to the ranch.
They sat in the carriage in front of the boarding house, in quiet conversation. It was difficult to part, but when Nick saw Ava trying to stifle a yawn he said, "I need to let you go. You're tired."
Nick climbed down from the carriage and then lifted Ava down. He kept his hands on her small waist and looked into her dark eyes. He wanted to crush her into his arms, but knew that it would be too soon. He didn't want to scare her. She seemed to sense his indecision and took care of it for him. She stood on her tip toes and placed a small kiss on his cheek.
"Thank you for the evening, Nick. I look forward to tomorrow," she said softly, her eyes telling Nick she really did enjoy their time together. He found it difficult to let her go, but knew he had to get home as well.
He tipped his hat and said, "I'll be here around three."
Nick watched Ava go inside and then he climbed into the carriage. His hand went to his cheek and he smiled. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.