Proposal at the Lazy S Ranch. Patricia Thayer

down the stairs of his father’s home. Now, not only had it been Garrett’s for the past year, it was Brody’s, too. And this morning he’d taken off work from the construction site to spend time with his son. Soon the boy would be starting a new school, so today was going to be just for them. With Brody’s recent move to Royerton, he knew it was going to take some time to make the adjustment. And for Garrett to win his son’s trust.

      Since the divorce two years ago, it had been difficult on his child. Then his ex-wife’s recent death in a car accident had struck Brody yet another blow. Garrett hoped that a stable home at the ranch would help the eight-year-old. As his father, he was going to spend as much time as possible with his son now that he was the sole parent.

      Garrett finished tucking in his shirt as he walked into the kitchen. He found Brody sitting at the counter, eating a bowl of his favorite cereal.

      “Good morning, Brody.”

      He was rewarded with a big smile. “Morning,” his son murmured.

      Garrett smiled at the boy who was his image at the same age.

      Brody was tall and lanky, with a headful of unruly dark curls and big green eyes. The thing that tore at Garrett’s heart was knowing that his son would have struggles without having a mother around. As Brody’s father he’d vowed from the day he’d been born that he’d always be there for him.

      He walked to the counter and took the mug of coffee from the housekeeper, Della Carlton.

      “Thanks, Della.” He took a sip. “Sorry I wasn’t down earlier, but I needed to phone my crew foreman. How has Brody been this morning?”

      “A sweetheart. He does need his routine, though.”

      Garrett nodded. “Change is hard for all of us.”

      The short stocky woman had gray hair pulled up into a ponytail. “It’s so wonderful you brought him here. It’s been good for your father, too.”

      Garrett glanced around. “Speaking of Nolan, where is he?”

      “Jack Richardson came by and took him to a horse auction.”

      He frowned, thinking about his father’s arthritis. “Dad was up to it?”

      Della nodded as they watched Brody carry his bowl to the sink. “The new medication seems to be helping him a lot.”

      The main reason Garrett had moved back to the ranch was to help out his father. Relocating his construction company took longer, but business was picking up, and with his foreman, Jerry, they could still put in bids on long-distance projects. And now, Brody would be raised here, too.

      “Can we go get my horse now?” Brody asked.

      Garrett smiled. “Give me a minute.”

      “Okay. I’m going outside to wait.” The boy took off toward the back door.

      Garrett glanced at Della. The Temple men were lucky to have her here to help fill in with Brody. “We should be back from the Lazy S by lunch. If plans change I’ll call you.”

      The middle-aged widow nodded. “You just have a good time today.”

      Garrett knew today Brody would be meeting new people. He’d been so withdrawn since his mother’s death. “You think he’s ready for his own horse?”

      Della smiled. “I’m not an expert, but it seems to me this is the first thing I’d seen the boy get excited about since he’s come here to live. I’d say that’s a good sign, and isn’t horseback riding therapeutic?”

      “Dad!” Brody’s voice rang out.

      “Okay, I’m coming.”

      “You’re doing the right thing by the boy,” Della said. “You’re a good man, Garrett Temple.”

      Garrett felt a sudden rush of emotion, but managed a nod. He caught up with his son and headed toward his truck. They were going to see Vance to get a suitable mount.

      They climbed in the vehicle, and after buckling up, Garrett drove off toward their closest neighbor.

      Since Nolan Temple’s health had deteriorated most of the barn stock had been sold off. One of the jobs Garrett had taken on was to get the operation up and going again. Thanks to the ranch foreman, Charlie Bowers, and neighbor Vance Rivers, they now had a herd that was twice the size as last year’s, along with an alfalfa crop for the spring.

      Even his dad was feeling good enough to want to participate in the operation. Garrett enjoyed it, too, and he hoped the same for his son. He wanted a place where his boy would feel safe and secure again. He wanted that for himself, too.

      He glanced at the boy sitting next to him. “Vance has three horses for you to see, but that doesn’t mean you have to pick one of them. We can keep looking if you don’t find what you want.”

      Brody shrugged, looking down at his hands. “Okay.”

      Garrett was eager to get his son something to distract him from the loss of his mother. There had also been some big changes in his life. He just wanted Brody to know that he was his top priority. Not even work was going to distract him from rebuilding a life with his son.

      Then he’d seen Josie yesterday.

      All these years and she was back here. Seeing her again had been harder than he could imagine. But by her reaction toward him, he didn’t have to worry about her being interested in him. Besides, she was probably headed back to California really soon.

      * * *

      Josie had slept in until eight o’clock. After she’d tested the tenderness of her ankle, she managed to shower and rewrapped it. She dressed and was even able to put on a pair of canvas sneakers. Making her way downstairs, she went to the kitchen and was greeted by Kathleen’s big smile and hug.

      “Where is everyone?”

      “Your father is with his therapist, Jay McNeal.” The fiftysomething housekeeper glanced at the kitchen clock. “It’ll be about another hour. Afterward, Jay helps him shower and get dressed.”

      “How is Colt really doing? I mean, Ana hadn’t given a lot of details.” Maybe Josie just hadn’t been eager to listen. “Only that he’s improving.”

      “He is improving and very quickly. We’re all happy about that.” Kathleen sat down across from her. “But your sister still wants your help. She won’t ask you to, but she needs you to stay as long as you can spare the time.”

      Josie felt bad, knowing how much her older sister had taken on by herself. “I should have come sooner.”

      “Under the circumstances, I can’t blame you all for not wanting to come home,” she told her. “But I’m sure glad you’re here now. Please tell me you’re staying awhile.” The older woman squeezed her hand. “I missed you, Josie.”

      “Ah, Kathleen, I’ve missed you, too.” But two weeks was about all she could handle with Garrett. “I said two weeks. After that...” She hesitated. “Remember, Tori is handling my end of the business while I’m here.”

      “Maybe she’ll decide to come back, too.”

      Josie smiled. “As soon as I get back there, she can come home.”

      “So you still think of the Lazy S as home?”

      Josie shook her head. “Don’t start, Kathleen. Let’s just take this slow. I’ve been away a long time.” She finished her coffee. “Where’s Ana?”

      “She went out to the barn with Vance. They have someone coming to look at some horses this morning.” Kathleen checked the clock. “Then she had to go to work at the high school.”

      Josie nodded, knowing the reason she came home was because of Ana’s job as high school counselor.

      She stood and tested her ankle. “Maybe I’ll walk down to have