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What could be simpler than spending time on a real ranch with good, hardworking people and beautiful animals?
Horses might be beautiful, but she still didn’t want to be around them. Or their cowboy owner.
You could at least consider helping Noah.
The thought stiffened her spine. And allow herself to be taken advantage of, the way she had when she was with Wade Davis? No, thank you.
When they returned to town a few hours later, Lily walked along Main Street with her children, allowing them to peruse a couple of souvenir shops while she relished the remarkable view. Unlike most towns where the mountains sat in the distance, Ouray was literally enveloped by them. No matter which way she looked, the mountains were right there. Only part of what made this town so appealing. Throw in the gorgeous Victorian-era buildings, friendly people and colorful baskets of flowers hanging from every lamppost, and she was smitten.
“Afternoon, Lily.”
She turned to see Clint Stephens. “Hello, Mr. Stephens.”
Hands dangling from the pockets of his Wrangler jeans, he glanced around. “Where are Colton and Piper?”
“In the gift sho—” She spotted the pair exiting the store. “Make that right here.”
“Hi, Mr. Stephens.” Their collective greeting revealed how genuinely happy they were to see him.
“What have you kids been up to today? Did you do anything fun?”
“We went to the top of the world,” said Piper.
“Top of the world?” Clint eyed Lily as a motorcycle rumbled past.
“We took a Jeep tour up to Hurricane Pass.”
“Oh.” He looked at Piper again. “Then I guess you were way up there.”
“I’m hungry.” Colton moved beside Lily. “What’s for dinner?”
She was surprised he’d gone this long without asking. Save for a small snack, he hadn’t eaten since lunch.
“Honestly, I haven’t given it much thought, but I’m sure we can find something at the house.”
“I’m on my way over to Granny’s Kitchen to grab some dinner.” Clint looked at each of them. “Would you three care to join me?”
Piper gasped while her brother’s eyes and smile grew wide.
“Could we?” said Colton. “We haven’t eaten there yet.”
Beside him, Piper prayed her hands together. “Please...”
Lily noted the sun hovering over the town’s western slope. “I guess it has been a while since we’ve gone out to eat.” Besides, she really wasn’t up to fixing a meal tonight. “Are you sure you don’t mind, Mr. Stephens?”
“Course not. It’ll save me from eating alone.”
“Okay then.”
Inside the quaint restaurant situated on a corner farther down the street, the four of them sat down in a booth by the window, allowing them to enjoy the view.
“Granny’s Kitchen is as close to home cooking as you’re going to get.” Clint removed his cowboy hat and slid in beside Colton. “And everything on the menu is good.” He ran a callused hand through his thick salt-and-pepper hair.
A waitress approached. Blonde, closer to Clint’s age and very well put together, from her perfectly styled short hair to her chic red patent leather ballet flats. “Looks like you’ve got some company, Clint.” She set four waters on the high-gloss wooden table top, then handed menus to each of them, along with crayons for the kids, before laying a hand on Clint’s shoulder.
“Hillary, this is Lily—” he gestured “—and her children, Colton and Piper.”
Lily held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Hillary.”
The woman took hold, her grip firm. “Are you in town on vacation?”
“For the summer, yes.”
“Well, we’re glad to have you.” Hillary eyed each of them. “I’ll give you minute to look over those menus.” With that she was gone.
Noting the familiarity between the two, Lily watched the older man. “Is that your wife?”
“Hillary?” Clint blushed. “No, she’s just an old friend. My wife died three years ago.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I won’t try to kid you, it was rough. But God has a plan.”
“Yes, He does.” Reaching for her water, she eyed the waitress behind the counter. Either Clint was unaware of Hillary’s feelings toward him or simply refused to acknowledge them. Whatever the case, Lily suspected they were more than just friends.
After turning in their orders, Lily rested her forearms on the edge of the table, curiosity niggling at her brain. After all, with Colton taking lessons, she owed it to herself to learn as much about his instructor as she could.
“Tell me about this rodeo school Noah plans to open.”
The man smiled like any proud father. “Noah’s always had a gift for teaching and a heart for kids.” He unwrapped his silverware and set the napkin in his lap. “This school has been his dream ever since he left the rodeo circuit.”
“He was a bull rider?” Lily regretted the surprise in her voice.
Clint’s amused grin was worth it, though. “Yes, but horses were always his specialty. He gets that from his mama.”
“Why was the rodeo school Noah’s dream?” Colton watched the older man intently.
“He...went through some hard times.” Fingering the unopened straw atop the table, he continued, “The rodeo—horses, in particular—helped him get back in the saddle, so to speak.”
Hard times? That could be almost anything. Drugs. Alcohol. But she wasn’t about to pry.
“What kind of hard times?”
“Colton!” Lily cringed.
“It’s all right.” The corners of Clint’s mouth tipped upward once again. “Can’t blame the boy for being curious.” He looked at Colton. “Noah lost some people that were very special to him.”
“Like his mommy?” Crayon still in hand, Piper looked up from her colorful place mat.
“That’s right.” Clint turned his attention to Lily. “Rodeo helped him cope.”
She watched the man across from her. “Was he any good?”
Clint’s grin seemed laced with as much sorrow as pride. “When you have nothing to lose, you tend to put it all out there.”
Nothing to lose? What did that mean?
Curious, Lily wanted to know more. So after the kids went to bed that night, she searched the internet for Noah Stephens and came up with a plethora of articles, photos and videos.
She clicked on the first link.
After the deaths of his wife and unborn child...
Lily found herself blinking back emotion. Though her ex-husband was still very much alive, she understood how it felt to lose someone you love. But to lose a child, too... She couldn’t imagine how painful that must have been.
She clicked on another link. The man had no fear. Every time he went out there, it was as though he was challenging God to take him, too.
When you have nothing to lose, you tend to put it all out there, Clint had said.