Shane's Burden Read online

  Shane nudged his chin in the man’s direction in greeting, then returned his gaze to Alley. She stared at him, then her eyes dropped to his hand that still held her arm. As if she’d scorched him, he let go. His fingers tingled as if she really had burned him. He made a fist several times to get rid of the feeling, but it seemed to want to linger. He took a step closer.

  “Can I buy you lunch?” he blurted when she moved to leave.

  “Lunch?” Her eyes rounded on him again, looking as if he’d sprouted horns.

  Shane grinned. “It’s about noontime. If you’ve got some time to spare, I’ll buy you a burger over at Evie’s. Nothing fancy.”

  He shrugged to appear non-committal, as if he couldn’t care less whether she accepted or declined his offer. On the inside, his pulse drummed against his temples the way it had done in junior high when he’d asked a girl to a barn dance for the first time.

  Alley tilted her head slightly. That brain of hers was definitely trying to work out what his motives were for asking her to lunch. Why had he even opened his mouth to make such an impulsive offer? He could have simply finished his apology that had been interrupted a moment ago and then been on his way.

  “I really need to make a few more stops and get to the bank,” she stammered, then ducked around him again to get to the door. She dropped her gaze, but her cheeks had taken on a rosy glow.

  Shane lunged to open the door for her, then followed her out of the building.

  “Most everyone at the bank will be taking their lunch right around now, too, so you might as well get something to eat yourself, instead of waiting on them,” he tried again as he fell in step beside her.

  Alley clutched her purse strap that she’d draped over her shoulder, her posture stiff like a young filly that was about to be saddled for the first time. She stopped in the middle of the parking lot and faced him. Her chest heaved as she took in an audible breath, clearly having reached a decision.

  “Okay, since I was going to drop off one of my flyers at Evie’s anyway.”

  Shane opened his mouth to tell her that she should forget about her silly flyers, but snapped it shut before he made an ass of himself again. If she wanted to hang up ‘Help Wanted’ signs all over town for a trainer, that was her choice.

  “My truck’s parked over there.” Shane pointed to his Suburban.

  “I can drive myself.” She looked up, a clipped smile on her face.

  Shane nodded. He’d better not push his luck. He could apologize properly over a burger and fries.

  “I’ll see you in a few minutes, then.”

  He tipped his index finger against the brim of his hat and left her by the driver’s side door of her grandfather’s old Ford. A quick sweep with his eyes confirmed that the old clunker needed new tires. The rubber was worn nearly bald in most places, making the vehicle especially dangerous to drive in the rain. At least there was no rain forecasted in the immediate future.

  Shane climbed into his vehicle, and followed Alley as she drove from the parking lot. The exhaust of her truck produced enough fumes that they entered through his air vents, and he had to roll down the window to get rid of the odor. He shook his head.

  What was she thinking, looking for a trainer? Somehow, he had to talk some sense into her, convince her that the best thing to do was to sell the farm and have enough money for Henry to retire comfortably.

  He pulled into the parking spot next to Alley in front of the diner and jumped out of his Suburban before she’d even killed the engine on her truck. He came around to her side and opened the door for her, wearing the same smile he’d used in school to lure the cheerleaders.

  When was the last time he’d openly flirted with a girl? Shane shook his head. If he was going to prevent Alley Cramer from making a mistake by holding on to her grandfather’s farm, he had to lay on the Taggart charm.

  While standing at the counter talking to one of her customers, Evie glanced up as Shane walked in with Alley a step ahead of him. He led her to his favorite booth in the corner of the diner, away from the busier area in the room.

  Most of the other booths and tables were occupied already as the lunch crowd started to arrive, many of them teenagers from high school. Hopefully he wouldn’t run into any of his friends and could avoid unnecessary questions. Bringing Alley here wasn’t a date. It was an attempt at a truce.

  He’d been getting enough harassment from Jerry and Boone lately that he never went out socially with a woman, and that perhaps he needed to think seriously about dating. It didn’t matter that he’d told them repeatedly that there was no woman in Burnt River who held his attention long enough for him to want to make a real effort. Shane glanced at Alley, who slid into the bench. Until now.

  Cursing under his breath, Shane grabbed one of the menus at the table and flipped it open. He didn’t need to look at a menu, but it would keep him from staring at Alley Cramer.

  A rowdy group of boys – probably from the football team – laughed and told crude jokes on the other side of the diner. Evie marched over to them, her hand waving in the air. No doubt she was giving them a dressing down and threatening to tell each of their parents about their behavior. The group was a lot more subdued when she turned away from their table. She glanced up, and her eyes connected with Shane’s. She nodded to let him know she’d seen him, but turned and headed back to the counter.

  Alley had her eyes down, studying the menu in front of her as if she was reading a complicated piece of literature. His lips twitched at the sight of her scrunched forehead. Her hand reached up absently to tuck some strands of hair behind her ear.

  “This is still a favorite hang-out for teens.” Shane folded his menu and set it aside. Why hide behind it when the view in front of him was so much better? Alley didn’t seem to have heard him, her full concentration on what she was reading.

  “You came here with your friends when you were in high school, right?”

  Alley raised her head, looking almost startled at his question, as if she’d completely forgotten that he was even sitting across from her. She shook her head.

  “No, the first time I was in here was after Mr. Weiker’s memorial, with your sister.”

  Shane’s brows rose. Everyone came to Evie’s Diner in high school. It was sort of a Burnt River rite of passage and tradition.

  “It wasn’t Evie’s Diner when you and I were in school, but Harry’s Hometown Cooking,” he clarified.

  She shook her head. “Not even then.”

  Evie arrived at that moment, preventing further comment on the subject. She set two glasses of ice water in front of them.

  “Shane, back so soon?” Evie shot him a high-browed look coupled with a pleased grin on her face. “I don’t usually have the pleasure of seeing you twice in one week.”

  “It’s a great place to eat.” Shane flashed a smile.

  By tomorrow, everyone in town would know that Shane Taggart had brought a woman to eat at Evie’s Diner. He might as well make the introductions.

  “This is Alley Cramer. I’m not sure you’ve met her.”

  Evie directed her attention to Alley. “Alley Cramer? I remember you from the other night with this guy’s sister. How long are you in town?”

  Alley opened her mouth at the same time she shot a quick look at Shane. He looked at her, cocking an eyebrow. Good question. Evie had saved him from asking it.

  “I’m not sure, yet,” she stammered. Fumbling in her purse that sat beside her on the bench, she pulled out one of her flyers. “Would it be possible to hang this on your bulletin board?”

  Evie took the flyer and read it. Her eyes went to Shane. The expression on her face couldn’t have been clearer than if she’d asked out loud, “What are you doing with this girl?”

  “I don’t have a bulletin board, but I can listen and spread the word. If I hear of anyone suitable who’s looking for work, I can send him your way.”

  “Thank you.” Alley nodded. “That would be great.”

  “W
hat can I get you to eat?” Evie pulled her notepad from the pocket in her apron.

  Alley cast a quick look at Shane. He nodded to let her know she should order first. He reached for the water and raised the glass to his lips.

  “I’ll have a cheeseburger with no pickles or mayonaise, and an order of chili cheese fries, please. And a coke, too.”

  Shane coughed, choking on an ice cube. His eyes widened. He tore his gaze from Alley to Evie, whose smile seemed to have widened even more.

  “Great minds think alike and have the same tastes,” she mumbled as she returned her notepad to her apron. “Do you want your usual, Shane?”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  Shane didn’t look at Evie, who walked away, but turned all his attention on Alley. What were the odds? Or was she playing with him because she’d seen that he’d been eating the same thing the other night? He mentally shook his head. Lots of people liked cheeseburgers without pickles and mayo. And chili cheese fries.

  “I assume you’ve had a talk with your grandpa about selling his farm, and he’s decided to make another go of it?”

  Shane stared across the table. Once again, he could kick himself in the head. The question sounded confrontational, even to him. Alley sat straighter, instantly stiffening at his words.

  Way to apologize, Taggart.

  “If you asked me to come here so you can tell me to leave town again, and this time in public, I’ll be going.”

  She reached for her purse. Shane reached across the table faster than a snake striking at its victim, and placed his hand over hers to stop her.

  “Don’t go. I’m sorry. My question came out wrong.”

  Alley’s soft hand was warm and small, completely covered by his calloused palm. She stared at him with those wide, suspicious eyes that couldn’t cover up her insecurity, and something that looked like disguised pain.

  “I actually want to apologize for the way I acted and for the things I said. You were right. I was completely out of line.” Shane eased his hand away when she didn’t move. He chuckled. “I was a bit tired from staying out too late and toasting Mike Weiker’s life.”

  Alley blinked. There was a slight shake of her head, as if she tried to comprehend his words. He remained quiet to let them sink in.

  “Thank you,” she whispered. “I’m sorry, too, if I came across a bit strong. Gramps told me shortly before you showed up that he planned to sell. It was unexpected.”

  Shane nodded. “I can understand that it would be a shock. Honestly, I didn’t realize how bad his situation was. I think Henry might be better off cutting his losses and selling. He’ll come out ahead and he won’t have to worry about all the work involved in running a horse business.”

  Alley shook her head. She tucked that pesky strand of hair behind her ear again. It was obviously a nervous habit.

  “I appreciate your opinion, but I’m not ready to tell him to sell.”

  A determined gleam flashed in her eyes, replacing her shy church mouse appearance. Either one was appealing in a different way. He clamped his mouth shut before he uttered something impulsive again, like telling her she didn’t know what she was getting into.

  “I take it you have some kind of business plan for Henry to move forward?”

  Alley took a sip of her water, then set the glass down. She folded her hands on the table, then leaned forward.

  “Coming back to Burnt River made me realize something I was missing,” she said. “Mr. Weiker offered his advice to me once when I was in school, and coming back for his memorial was as if he was speaking to me again. I should have listened to him a long time ago.”

  She dropped her gaze to her hands. Her words were laced with regret, which only made her seem more determined. Shane shifted in his seat.

  “Mr. Weiker seems to have influenced a lot of us.” He offered a smile.

  Alley’s determination was admirable. Hadn’t it been the same for him? He’d done whatever was needed to keep his family’s ranch prosperous. How would he have dealt with potentially losing the one thing that had defined his family for generations?

  In order for Mason and Raine to stay in school to pursue their dreams, he’d left college after only a few semesters to take over the business after his mother’s stroke. His dream had always been the ranch, so for him to quit school and take over had been the logical choice.

  “I wish I had come back sooner and helped my grandfather, but I had no idea he was this bad off. I don’t want to lose my childhood home, and it’s time I start working on my own dreams for a change.”

  A slight shimmer reflected in Alley’s eyes with those unwavering words, exposing scars that seemed to define her entire existence. Shane’s jaw muscles clenched and unclenched. She didn’t owe him a further explanation, but in those few seconds when she’d exposed her soul, she’d unknowingly tugged at his heartstrings.

  Chapter 8

  Alley swiped the back of her hand across her damp forehead, pushing her wayward hair out of her face. Strands stuck to her cheeks and the back of her neck, in the same way cooked spaghetti clung to the kitchen cabinets whenever she’d flung the noodles to test them for doneness. She blew air through her mouth and fanned herself, then looked up and smiled in satisfaction.

  All the sweat, the sore muscles, and the long hours over the past week had been worth it. The barn looked clean again, at least on the inside. She’d spent days sweeping dust and cobwebs from the rafters, scrubbing dirt off the cement barn aisle, and washing the glass windows until they sparkled again. She was almost done stripping the twelve stalls to the bare ground.

  Alley glanced at her palms. Two fresh blisters had popped open earlier, despite the gloves she’d worn. She’d have to look in the tack room for some more bandaging material that she’d used before to wrap her hands. Holding a shovel had become nearly unbearable. Each night, she’d soaked her hands in salt water out of sight of Gramps, and kept them wrapped until morning.

  For two days, she’d dug urine-saturated dirt out of the stalls. The sharp smell of ammonia had been overpowering at times, making her eyes water, but she’d continued the necessary chore. There were still four more stalls to dig out, and once that was done, she’d sprinkle the worst areas with baking soda and keep them exposed to the air for a few days.

  Gramps would have to teach her how to drive the little tractor so she could fill the stalls with fresh decomposed granite to build up a clean base. After that, the horses could move back in, especially the two-year-olds, which would be ready for training soon.

  Alley straightened and held her hand to her sore lower back. For the first time in a long time, a true feeling of accomplishment grew in her. It felt better and was more satisfying to have a clean barn and happy horses than to get the highest grade on a biochemistry mid-term in college.

  All she needed now was a trainer. She hadn’t heard from anyone regarding the ad she’d placed all over Burnt River. Maybe she needed to expand her search and drive to some of the other communities in the area. There had to be someone with knowledge in training young racehorses who needed a job.

  “I’m sure someone will turn up,” Gramps had said a couple of days ago while they were working together to mend some of the pasture fences.

  Gramps got winded fairly easily, and Alley had to remind him constantly to take it easy.

  “It’s good for you to be active, Gramps, but it’s another thing to overdo it, especially with your heart.”

  He hadn’t said anything, but simply smiled, then pretended to take a break. There seemed to be new vigor in him since she’d told him of her plans to remain in Burnt River.

  “You’ve given up on your schooling?” he’d asked when they’d sat together with a glass of ice tea on the porch, watching the sun set.

  “I think I’ve had enough schooling for a while.” She’d shrugged. “Besides, I can always go and get my doctorate if this doesn’t work out.” She’d reached for his hand, giving it a squeeze. “It feels good to be home, and to be
working on something other than academics, or in a research lab.”

  Inhaling a deep and fragrant breath, filled with the scents of summer hay and horses, she’d added, “For the first time in a long time, probably as long as it’s been since I last rode Harley, I feel at peace and truly happy.”

  Even with her busy schedule and determination to fix up the barn and make sure the fences were intact, she’d found time to ride Harley into the hills. Her old friend, the horse that had comforted her during her times of frustration with her mother, her loneliness, and her isolation from her peers, had once again provided that special place in her heart that made her feel content. Harley seemed to remember their rides together as well, and had eagerly carried her along the old trails they used to follow.

  During those times, her thoughts had freely wandered to Shane Taggart, and especially her encounter with him in town. Not only had running into him been unexpected, but so had his behavior. He’d completely transformed from the bully and jerk she’d met when he’d come to the farm, into a charming country cowboy. He was exactly the kind of guy she’d fantasized about in high school.

  So far, her attempts to dismiss him from her mind this past week had failed miserably. Chastising herself for falling right back into her old fantasies from a decade ago, she’d thrown herself into the work on the ranch in order to stop thinking about him.

  They’d spent half an hour in the diner eating lunch, making mostly small-talk about the town and about high school. Talking to him hadn’t been all that difficult after a while. While he still intimidated her, he was down-to-earth and genuinely nice.

  Whether or not to trust him was still too early to tell. No doubt, he’d only been nice because he wanted the farm. For those reasons, she’d been vague with her answers when he’d asked what she’d planned to do for Gramps while she was in town. Talking about her years at Cornell had been a lot easier. He’d probably decided that he couldn’t bully her into selling, so he’d used a different tactic and tried to charm her. So far, her suspicions were unfounded.