For several seconds she just stared. He was clean-shaven and perfectly groomed, wearing pressed blue trousers with a red stripe down the side, navy jacket covered with medals and ribbons. She didn’t know what most of them stood for but she recognized bronze and silver stars.
The uniform fit him perfectly and it said everything about him: that he had served his country with honor and courage; that he had been a decorated hero; that he had suffered and survived.
She looked at him standing there and thought he was the most handsome man she had ever seen.
“You look . . .” She wanted to say incredible. “Like a soldier.”
He glanced away. “Pete was a special guy, one of the best. His family wanted a full military funeral. Pete deserves it.”
“Is there . . . umm . . . anything you want me to do while you’re gone?”
He thought for a moment. “You’re still working on the website, right?”
“Yes.” It seemed insane to be talking about mundane subjects when Josh was leaving to pay his respects to a friend who’d been senselessly murdered.
“I’ve hired a webmaster,” she said, “a woman I worked with in Phoenix. She’s really good. We’re designing the pages together. I need to get some photos, pictures of the ranch and one of each of the horses.”
He just nodded, his mind clearly on the loss of his friend. “I appreciate your help with this.” A faint smile touched his lips. “I didn’t realize I was hiring an expert in marketing when you drove up to the barn that day. I got way more than I bargained for.”
She smiled and shrugged. “At least all those years I spent in advertising weren’t a total waste.”
His slight smile faded. She felt a pang in her heart at the misery in his face.
“I need to go.” He started for the door, but Tory caught his arm.
She went up on her toes and very softly kissed him. “Drive safely. If you decide to stay overnight, just let me know.”
“I’m not going to stay. I’ll be back tonight at the latest.”
She took a step backward, but Josh hauled her into his arms, bent his head, and kissed her far more thoroughly. Then he turned and walked away, pausing only long enough to settle his cap on his head before pushing through the door.
Tory stood on the porch and watched him drive away, watched till his pickup disappeared down the dirt road leading out of the ranch.
It was early afternoon when she heard the roar of an engine rolling back down the dirt road toward the house, too early for Josh to be home. For an instant, her nerves kicked in.
But the last time Josh had heard from Ham, Damon was still in Phoenix, continuing his usual routine: work, play, and picking up women at his favorite upscale bars. Tory prayed he had finally accepted that she was out of his life for good.
Knowing Cole and Noah were working near the house—she suspected because Josh wanted them to stay close—she walked out on the front porch. Josh’s newest hire, a black-haired teen named Tyler Murphy, had already finished cleaning the makeshift stalls in the cow barn and left for the day.
She watched the car approach, a beautiful bright red Stingray convertible. It hadn’t rained the past few days. The sun was out, the afternoon warm, but the forecast warned of a coming storm.
Two women sat in the car. She recognized Carly Cain in the driver’s seat, blond hair pulled back and clipped at the nape of her neck, sitting next to a beautiful brunette with long, mahogany-brown hair. Tory walked toward them as they climbed out of the car.
“Hi, Carly. Wow, what a fabulous car.”
“It is, isn’t it? Linc bought it for me for Christmas. I have to say I love it. Carly, this is my friend Brittany Haworth. Britt’s a teacher at Iron Springs Elementary. We’ve been BFFs since high school.”
“It’s great to meet you, Brittany.”
“You too, Tory.”
“I’m afraid you missed Josh. A close friend of his died. The funeral’s today in Fairfield.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Josh has already lost enough friends. But the truth is we came to see you. I’ve been dying to meet your little girl.”
A warm feeling spread through her. She hadn’t really made any friends since she had left Phoenix.
She smiled. “Come on in. Ivy’s watching TV, and I’ve got a pitcher of lemonade in the fridge.”
