Never Say Never Again Read online

  “Hell, son. You know Maddie won’t listen to me. She loves that old Chevy, always has.”

  “I gathered.” He shook his head in amusement.

  “Got something on your mind?” Pap asked as he held out his arm and gestured toward the porch. The older man dropped into the swing with a groan while Gideon leaned against a column, arms crossed over his chest.

  “I want you to let me buy the land,” he said.

  “We’ve been all over this, son. The land is Maddie’s. I want my girl taken care of.”

  Gideon shook his open hand at him. “Just hear me out, okay? Not sure how to say this, exactly.”

  “Flat out and honest is usually the best way.” Pap shrugged.

  How do you tell a woman’s grandfather you’ve fallen in lust with his granddaughter and it won’t take a gentlemen’s agreement to convince him to take her to your bed? Just isn’t done.

  Pap nodded sagely. He was no fool. “You come around to my way of thinking, son?”

  Gideon stared silently at Pap, and the old man nodded before continuing. “You’ll have your work cut out for you. Our Maddie will make some man one hell of a wife, but she’s her own woman, and she’s been hurt once. It’s not going to be easy. Come on inside. We got some talking to do.”

  The two men left the porch and went into the living room. Pap sat in his recliner, and Gideon faced him from the flowery chair entirely too small for his large body. It smelled like Maddie—he loved the way her perfume teased his senses. Made him feel close to her.

  Gideon thought about the scene at Loretta’s. “I’m not a caveman, Pap. I want a woman in my bed, and kids, but it has to be the right person and the right way. This agreement you have in mind makes me uncomfortable. I don’t want to start anything with Maddie built on a deception.”

  “Then you haven’t changed your mind?”

  “Not a chance. I think she’s just about the prettiest, sassiest spitfire in Snowy Range. That’s why I’m here. This is probably more information than you want, but when I saw Maddie, something clicked inside me. Something happened. Something I don’t think I’ve felt before. It was more than a man’s reaction to a beautiful woman, though there was that. I wish I could explain it better, but…”

  “Gathered that from our first conversation.” Pap sat forward, meeting Gideon knee to knee and eye to eye. “No explanation necessary. Felt the same the first time I laid eyes on my Emma, Maddie’s grandmother. Me and her used to call it ‘the knowing,’ for lack of a better explanation.

  “Everyone in town was headed off to war. We were partying it up at your grandpa’s one afternoon when a flock of girls came in from town. We men knew where we were headed and that we might never come back. Emma and her friends knew it, too.”

  The old man stood, knees creaking with the effort, walked over to the big picture window at the back of the room, and gazed out over his ranch to the mountains beyond. “Things happened fast in those days. We all felt a sense of urgency, excitement, aware of our mortality, and standing on the precipice of history, I guess. Could have been that or just the way things were meant to be, but I took one look at Emma and knew she was the only woman for me. We married before I shipped out. That what you’re talking about, boy?”

  “The part where I took one look at Maddie and knew she was the woman for me? Yeah, Pap, I think so. That’s why this agreement we’ve made sticks in my craw. You have any idea how she would react if she found out you essentially traded her to me for land and the river?”

  “That’s why it’s up to you to never let her find out,” he replied.

  “Never let her find out what exactly?” Maddie asked softly from behind Gideon.

  Gideon froze.

  Pap had the look of a deer caught in the headlights, and neither man uttered a word. An awkward silence filled the room until Gideon rose and held out his hand.

  “In spite of our meeting at Loretta’s, I don’t think we’ve been introduced. I’m Gideon Branch, your neighbor and Pap’s good friend, and I just stopped by…”

  “You didn’t answer my question. What don’t you want me to find out?”

  Damn—she was like a dog with a sock.

  Gideon paused, thinking quickly. “That I’m going to continue needing your help with Snowy Branch. I’ve got a lot to do getting the place up and running. Taking care of the main house isn’t something I can take on. Could you come maybe once a week, clean up some, do some laundry, maybe cook a little something for the freezer? Naturally, I’ll increase your pay.”

  “You want to hire me to be your housekeeper? Why would I object to that?”

  Gideon could see from the thin line of her mouth that she was wary. Since he couldn’t think of a reasonable excuse, he kept his mouth shut.

  Awkward silence.

  “Okay,” Maddie drawled, letting them both off the hook. “I get it. You don’t want to let me in on the secret, whatever it is. That’s cool.”

  “Thanks for taking care of the big house while my brothers and I served. I’d expected to come home to a dusty mess, but it’s in terrific shape.” Gideon’s gaze, though sincere, kept slipping down her body and back to her eyes. Maddie noticed, and a delicate pink stained her neck and face.

  “Not a problem,” she said. “It’s a large home, but in good condition. All I had to do was keep it that way.”

  Gideon rubbed his nose with his forefinger and laughed sheepishly. “Having three bachelors living there might make a difference.”

  Pap interjected, “When are Eli and Zack coming home?”

  “Zack gets out in two months, Eli around Christmas. Until then, can I count on you?”

  “I can until you find a permanent housekeeper. If you want me on a temporary basis, I don’t mind helping out. Mondays are busy here. Tuesday or Wednesday okay?”

  Gideon nodded. “Wednesdays are great. Get what you need, and I’ll make sure to pay you back.”

  “Sounds good. Anything you don’t like or are allergic to?”

  “I’m a meat-and-potatoes kind of guy. Easy to please.”

  “Fine—I’ll start next week, if that’s okay?””

  “Great. Well, guess I should be going. I’ll talk to you later, Pap. Maddie, see you on Wednesday.” He started to leave, then turned back and stepped into her space.

  “If you don’t have plans for Friday night, I’d very much like to take you to dinner.” His voice was a low rumble. Their gazes locked. Gideon recognized the signs—pupils dilated, breathing hitched, so her reply surprised him.

  “Sorry.” A little crease puckered between her brows. “I have plans this weekend. Maybe another time.”

  Pap harrumphed, and she glanced in her grandfather’s direction, a faint tinge of color climbing from her neck to her cheeks.

  Tucking a stray strand of her glorious hair behind her ear, Gideon purposely allowed his finger to gently flick her lobe and let his eyes linger on her moist lips. “I’m going to hold you to that, pretty Maddie.”

  Dropping his hand from her face, he grabbed his hat from the coffee table. “Good talking with you, Pap. Take care of yourself.” He deliberately turned on the full wattage smile that had worked for him in the past. “Since you’re busy this week, does Friday after next work for you?”

  Cutting her eyes to her grandfather, she nodded reluctantly. “Sure. I can do that.”

  It was all he could do to restrain a laugh.

  “Miss Maddie—I’ll see you next week.” He flicked her nose before he turned toward the door. Praying it still worked, he shot her a panty-dropping smile and received the requisite reaction, pleased he’d been right. The wide eyes and soft jaw were a dead giveaway. Adding a quick kiss on the cheek, he left before she could object.

  Pap laughed and shuffled to his bedroom, pausing at the door to give her the finger-wag.

  “Maddie Mae, there’s no reason you couldn’t go out with Gideon. He’s a fine man, trustworthy, steady, the kind of man who’d treat you right, and he ain’t hard to loo
k at. You could do a lot worse. I want you to get over this nonsense about Harrison. No more moping over something that was never going to happen in the first place. The next time Gideon asks, you’re going to say yes.”

  “Geez, Pap. Simmer down. I already agreed to the weekend after—I just turned him down for this weekend. He’s a grown man. I’m sure he’s been turned down for a date before. Not often…” She grinned. “But surely someone must have turned him down once or twice in his lifetime.”

  “That’s the point of courting. To get to know each other,” Pap angrily replied.

  “Courting?” she asked, her voice rising immeasurable decibels. “Who said anything about courting?”

  “Courting, dating, hooking up—whatever you young people call it these days. He’s single and available; you’re single and available. Don’t even think about cancelling weekend after next. You’re going, and that’s that.” He shuffled back to his chair.

  “Or?” she challenged, then stopped.

  Pap was really bent out of shape. His color went from the usual pale to ashen, and he fell back into his recliner with a grunt. It scared her.

  “What’s wrong? Do you hurt anywhere? Is it your heart?” she rushed to him, her hand testing his forehead for fever.

  Pap pushed her gently away. “Don’t fuss so. I’m all right.” His gnarled hands rested on her shoulders. “I’m just old, girl. Old and tired. God knows you’ve been a lifesaver, and I’m glad you came to me when your wedding fell through. This is your home, and you’re always welcome. But I’m not going to be around forever…”

  Fear choked her. “Don’t say that, Pap. You’ll take it easy, cut back on your chores. I can take up the slack. Even taking care of Snowy Branch, I can handle more. You’ve been doing too much.”

  He sighed, and she followed his gaze as it traveled the room, resting on each knick-knack. Every one represented a memory. Pictures of family, antiques he and Grandma Em had collected over their years together. All the tangibles that told the story of a life well lived, filled with love, valued.

  Foreboding seeped deep into her bones. Her grandfather had always been strong, able to do anything. She’d taken him for granted, and he’d grown old and ill before her eyes. Losing her parents, Grandma Em, even Harrison—that same feeling crept over her as she watched him remember through his treasures. Memorizing them, reliving the meaning of each one.

  What would I do without him?

  Maddie rubbed the sun-spotted skin of his hands soothingly. “What is it, Pap? What’s on your mind?”

  Pap stroked her cheek just as he had when she was a little girl, hobbled to his bed, and sat on the edge. “Maddie, girl.” He hesitated, and bit his lip as love and worry deepened the lines on his face. “I understand how badly you were hurt, and you needed a refuge. But you’re better now; you’re ready to move forward—get on with your life. So that’s what you’re going to do. I’ve a mind to see you settled, with a man to take care of you.”

  “Pap, you don’t have to worry. I can take care of myself,” she objected, starting to rise before he stopped her.

  “Easy now, girl. Why do you do that? Don’t you think I know you’re a capable and strong woman? You’ve taken over running the house and the ranch since you’ve been here, and done a fine job of it. But life is more than getting by and being able to do things for yourself. It’s only rich when you have someone to share the good times and help weather the bad. I want you to experience love again, the right kind of love. Find that special something your grandma and me had, have a few babies of your own to run after. Live the kind of joy only love and a family can bring.”

  Maddie swallowed the lump in her throat. What her grandfather was telling her was that he wanted her married before he died.

  She sat back on her heels, searching for the right words. Pap was being open and honest. She owed him the same consideration. What came out of her mouth surprised her as much as it did her grandfather.

  “You’re right. About everything. Harrison, the move home, my attitude toward men—all of it. I can’t promise it’ll be Gideon, but I’ll try and unlock my heart. I envy what you and Grandma Em had—a wonderful relationship, full of love and laughter. No matter what came your way, good or bad, you faced it together. I don’t quite know how to do what you ask, but I can try. I love you, Pap—please don’t talk about dying. It breaks my heart. I need you.”

  “Aw, girl—everyone has to die. It’s nothing to be afraid of. Life goes on just the same. Sure, it hurts for a while. But one day, you wake up and think of the one you lost as if they never left at all. You remember the little ways they had about them, their laughter, the sound of their voice, all familiar and sweet. It’s like they’re in the next room, not so far away, and all you have to do is wait and you’ll see them again.”

  Maddie laid her head in her grandfather’s lap, tears leaking from the corners of her eyes.

  “Pap…” Her throat clogged.

  “Come on. Don’t be sad—I’m not. I just want your promise. Gideon or another, makes me no difference, but you’re going to start having some fun and acting like a woman your age ought to.”

  “Yes, sir,” she said as she stood holding her Pap’s hands. “If a man is crazy enough to want to take me out, I’ll give him a chance.”

  “Gideon?” Pap asked.

  “Yes, Pap. Gideon.” She answered with warmth rising to her cheeks.

  The satisfaction in his smile was a dead giveaway. If she didn’t know better, she’d think the two of them had made an arrangement—but she wouldn’t be a pushover, in spite of her grandfather. Gideon was nice to look at and seemed like a good man, but there was a lot more to a man than his appearance.

  Still…she had to admit, the man sure could fill out a pair of jeans.

  Chapter Six

  Maddie hurried through her chores the next morning, anxious to put down some ideas on paper and start researching them. She tucked her feet beneath her, pencil in place behind her ear, and stared at the computer screen.

  Pap eased behind her and looked over her shoulder. “What’s this you’ve been working on all morning?”

  “My idea. I was going to tell you all about it when I walked in on you and Gideon yesterday. I rode King to the pond, and we talked it all out.”

  Pap guffawed. “You and King talked it out?”

  “Don’t laugh,” Maddie reprimanded in a teasing voice. “That horse is smarter than most people I know, and he has some very good ideas. Anyway, I was thinking about how much I miss working with exceptional children. I miss the kids and feeling like I was making a difference in their lives, but at the same time, I don’t want to leave you. So I got to thinking—How could I impact the lives of special needs kids and stay on the ranch?”

  “Did you come up with anything?” Pap asked.

  “Just consider this, and keep an open mind. We have a big old house, a barn, a few horses, a bunkhouse, and me. I’m qualified as an Exceptional Education teacher. Put it all together, shake it up, and once I’m certified here in Wyoming… How about a summer program for kids with disabilities?

  “Think about it… We could put the campers up in the house and bunkhouse, I could cook meals, or we’d hire it done. If we put in a twenty-by-forty-foot pool—it wouldn’t have to be deep, no more than three feet—we could offer physical therapy, a way to exercise and relax their muscles while having a good time.

  “Take on a few more horses for rides around the corral, maybe an easy trail for the children who are more mobile. Have barbeques, campfires, stuff like that. Music. Think what it would do, Pap. Make them feel like any other child, give them an experience of a lifetime and assist in their development.

  “Their minds, their bodies, their emotions—animals and kids are a natural. The research I’ve been doing indicates a definite link between animal-based interactions and improvement in cognitive and physical growth.”

  Pap patted her shoulder. “Maddie, you’re a wonder. You really have been think
ing about this, haven’t you? That’s terrific, girl. Right up your alley. But could you do all that yourself?”

  Her eyes sparkled as she gazed at her grandfather. “Not by a long shot. I’d have to hire some help—paid help as well as volunteer. Maybe offer free room and board to summer interns specializing in early childhood development and special ed. Oh, Pap, there’s a lot more to consider, but this makes me feel alive again.”

  He patted her shoulder. “Then we’ll make it happen. I have a few pennies put back. When you have the numbers tallied, we’ll put our heads together and see where we go from there.”

  “I don’t want you to feel like you have to invest. I have a little savings, and if I can get a loan from the bank, it’s doable. We’ll start small, and as word gets around about the program, we can expand. We’ll have to charge, at least at first, maybe scholarship a few cases, but we’ll be making a little money and a contribution to these kid’s lives, all at the same time.”

  Her grandfather shook his head in amazement. “Your grandma could stretch a penny to make a nickel, and she had backbone to spare. You’re just like her, Maddie girl. I was proud of her, and I’m proud of you. You bet we can do this.”

  “Then that’s where we’ll start. The Emma Lowry Camp for Exceptional Children. If I can obtain financing, we’ll put in the pool and remodel the bunkhouse this summer. Maybe see how much it costs to put a roof over one of the corrals, in case of bad weather. Oh, good grief! There’s so much to do.”

  “Good to see happiness come back in your eyes.” He grinned and left her to research and figure cost projections.

  Maddie worked through the weekend googling other summer camps, familiarizing herself with operating procedures and sending e-mails to owners requesting start-up information, as well as contacting organizations offering support for special needs children and laying the groundwork for possible grants. Her college transcripts, resume, and work history were saved, and she reviewed them, as well as the requirements for teacher certification in Wyoming.

  Was there an attorney in Snowy Range? She was thinking a non-profit might be the way to go, if grant programs covered the costs and payroll, but the paperwork and tax implications were way beyond her abilities. A lawyer and a CPA would be a must.