Gallant Golfer (River's End Ranch Book 10) Read online

  GALLANT GOLFER

  CINDY CALDWELL

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Sneak Peek of Bridget’s Beau

  Also by Cindy Caldwell

  CHAPTER 1

  C had Stanton, resident golf pro at River’s End Ranch, paused in the doorway on his way out toward the golf course. Simon, the part-time clerk in the pro shop, leaned against the counter beneath picture window that looked out over the championship course that Chad had taught lessons at for guests for the past few years. His arms folded over his chest, Simon didn’t look happy.

  “Why can’t I caddy for you, Chad? It’s a day off for both of us, and there’s not much I’d rather do.”

  With a sigh, Chad ducked his head and fingered the brim of his golf cap. The older man frowned at him, his gray hair tussled and his blue eyes clear—and trained directly on Chad. He pinched the bridge of his nose.

  “Thanks, Simon. I know you’re willing and able, and I appreciate that. I just—well, you know I like to be out there on my own on Mondays. Just me and the green. Kind of like old times with my brother.”

  Chad flinched at the sound of his own voice. He rarely thought of his brother these days, let alone brought him up. He hadn’t spoken with him in months, his brother’s choice to serve back -to-back tours overseas making sure of that.

  “All right, but I hate to see you alone all of the time,” Simon said as he shook his head and turned back toward the counter. “If you change your mind, let me know.”

  Chad knew he wouldn’t change his mind, and as he strapped his clubs into his golf cart, he nodded toward the older man. “I appreciate your understanding, Simon,” he said. Simon tipped his cap as Chad headed toward the first tee.

  Chad enjoyed Simon’s company very much, but he was happy to be alone on the River’s End Ranch’s world-class golf course. The golf cart rolled to a stop and he pressed the brake hard. He shielded his eyes against the noon-time sun as he surveyed the greens—summer would be ending soon, and the once-lush grass of the course was already tinged with brown.

  Fallen leaves rustled behind him as he hopped out of the cart and rounded to the back, rubbing his shoulder before he reached for his clubs. The day was crisp, more so than it had been. Tourists would be arriving soon for winter sports rather than his golf lessons, but he nodded in satisfaction at the happiness the ranch had brought to people all summer, some coming from back east to try their hand at the championship course.

  Monday was the one day the course was closed, and he’d made it a point to play on his own each and every Monday, the expansive greens all to himself. Today was no different—except that the crisp, fall air had his old injury acting up. He’d managed to work through it a bit these past couple of years and provided lessons and coaching to any who wanted, and he was proud of his tenure as resident golf pro. But he was nowhere near his old self, even for all his trying.

  He hefted his bag on his shoulder, Simon’s offer to caddy crossing his mind, but these Mondays were his own. Personal. He’d had plenty of commotion when he’d played the pro golf circuit and had enjoyed it—the food, the parties, the camaraderie with fellow pros—but now, what he enjoyed most was the quiet and solitude of the course here at River’s End Ranch. Sure, he missed his friends—many of them were still riding high on the tours, making fortunes, having fun. But he welcomed a different kind of fun—he didn’t need to win. To compete. At least on Mondays, anyway.

  He set a tee and reached for his favorite golf ball, settling it slowly before he stepped back and took a few practice swings. His shoulder was loosening up nicely, and he envisioned the perfect shot he’d make, right over the first hill and between the two glades of pine trees at the far end of the hole. The flag beckoned to him, and he concentrated on the ball, certain it would hit the green.

  He swung his club gently next to the ball and stepped back, ready to let her loose and send his ball toward its goal. He pulled back, his club high in the mountain air and welcomed the quiet as he swung at the ball with as much controlled force as he could muster.

  Just as his club met the ball, a thunderous roar jerked him out of focus, and he barely connected with the ball, sending it soaring into the pond to the left of the green. As it plunked into the water, he turned toward the sound, his brows furrowed. Helicopters weren’t that uncommon at River’s End Ranch, between Dani’s Search and Rescue Team and arrivals of wealthy guests who didn’t want to take the time to drive out from the nearest town, Riston, but this one was unwelcome.

  The helipad wasn’t too far from the first tee, something Chad had spoken to Wade, the general manager, about. He’d said he’d think about moving it to someplace that didn’t demand as much quiet, but so far it hadn’t happened. This time of year, between summer and snowfall, was a little more quiet than usual and Chad was grateful—but now, he wondered who would be arriving. There hadn’t been any groups listed on the ledger.

  As golf pro at River’s End Ranch, he was proud of what the Westons had built and were providing for lucky tourists, so whenever new guests arrived, he made a point of greeting them, whether or not they had come to the ranch to golf. He fancied himself a sort of ambassador when the Westons themselves were occupied, so he shoved his club back in his bag, strapped it back in the cart and headed over to the helipad to see if he could help.

  The rotors slowed and Chad hung back a bit, giving the new arrivals a chance to get their bearings and exit the helicopter. He pulled his golf cap on against the sun and tried to peer in the window of the aircraft. He didn’t have to wait long, and the door swung open, the pilot exiting first before he extended his hand back toward the door.

  All Chad noticed first was legs—long, beautiful ones—that peeked through the door. His breath hitched as he saw what they were attached to, a beautiful woman with long curly hair, the color of rich copper. Her skirt fell as she stepped out, covering her legs and almost reaching her red cowboy boots.

  It was a fine time to be an ambassador for River’s End Ranch, Chad thought, and he thanked his lucky stars. He hopped out of the cart and strode over, his long legs covering the distance before anyone else had stepped out. He reached his hand out, her hand soft in his as she took it and smiled up at him with dazzling green eyes surrounded by dark lashes.

  “Hello, ma’am. I’m Chad Stanton, golf pro here at River’s End Ranch.”

  Time stopped as his eyes met hers, and it took a moment for him to understand what was happening. A deep, booming voice sounded from the helicopter—and a familiar one at that.

  “Of course you are,” the voice said before a tall, slender man about Chad’s age slipped through the doorway. “That’s why we’re here.”

  Chad’s dropped the woman’s hand, a smile spreading from ear to ear as he clasped his old friend from the golf tour in a bear hug. “Brian? Brian Jackson, what the heck are you doing here?”

  The man swung his arm over the woman’s shoulder and she smiled up at him. Brian had been a good friend on the tour, and they’d shared many happy hours together p
laying golf and enjoying the sights of the tour towns afterward.

  Momentary disappointment flitted through Chad as he realized that this beautiful woman was with his good friend, and he raised his “bro” defenses. She was gorgeous, and Brian was a lucky man, but the code said, “Hands off.”

  He took a step back and smiled up at his friend. “Seriously, what brings you here?”

  “Well, we’ve got a break in the tour and I wanted to spend some time with friends and family. Maybe play a few rounds, relax a little bit. I’ve heard this course is one of the best in the United States. And that it has one of the best resident pros around.”

  Chad beamed at the compliment. “You couldn’t have picked a better time. Things are winding down for the season, and we’re happy to have you. I even think the Copper Cottage is open.”

  “Oh, it is,” the woman said as she fluttered her eyelashes at Brian. “We checked.”

  “Where are my manners?” Brian said as he smiled at the woman. “Chad, I’d like you to meet Emma.”

  Chad reached for her hand again, very glad to meet such a lovely girl but sorry he hadn’t found her first.

  She took his hands once more and said, “It’s very nice to meet you. You’d think after all the time you two have spent together, he’d have introduced you to his little sister by now.”

  CHAPTER 2

  Brian pushed his sunglasses up on his forehead as he looked around and whistled. “Wow, Chad. Great place you’ve got here.” He spun in a circle, his hands spread wide.

  Chad vaguely remembered that Brian had had a younger sister when they’d been on the tour. They’d been young themselves, and if he recalled correctly, his sister had still been in college at the time. He tore his eyes from the view right in front of him as Emma turned to look around.

  The mountains surrounding the course were quite impressive, and the yellows and golds of the turning trees dotting the lower horizon made for a spectacular, fall image. A breeze had kicked up, and Emma’s long, copper hair matched the fall landscape.

  “Thanks. I’m not responsible for making it, of course. Just for maintaining it,” he said and he was rewarded with a wide smile from Emma, her green eyes sparkling as she turned back to him.

  “Well, you’ve done a wonderful job of that, then. It’s a beautiful course. And the river, the lake—I couldn’t take my eyes off it as we flew over.”

  He breathed deeply for a moment and took a look around, seeing the ranch as newcomers might. He’d been there for a while now—was its beauty becoming old hat to him? No, he didn’t think so, and even though their arrival was a surprise, he looked forward to showing them even nicer scenery when they got a chance to play the whole course.

  “I radioed the office for a pick-up. Did they know you were coming?” he said as the pilot handed him suitcases and golf clubs and he set them on the ground, ready for transporting them back to the Copper Cottage.

  “They did,” Emma said. “It was a last minute trip and kind of touch and go, but they held a reservation for us. I just let them know a little bit ago that we’d been able to make it.”

  “Great,” Chad said as he grabbed the second bag of golf clubs from the pilot. He frowned as he stood beside them and glanced over at the bag of clubs he’d already set down. They were both men’s’ clubs, taller than a woman’s would be. “Are these yours?” he asked Emma as he patted the golf bag he held and frowned, looking from Emma to Brian.

  Emma stiffened as her eyes met his. “No, I don’t golf. They’re—”

  “They’re mine,” a voice said from inside the helicopter.

  Emma stiffened and looked away from the helicopter as her brother studied his feet. Brian looked up at the doorway and took off his cap, raking his hands through his hair as he stole a glance at Brian and stepped forward.

  “Hey, Skip. Long time no see,” he said as he extended his hand, not quite managing the smile he knew the Westons would want him to give a new guest.

  “Hey, yourself, man. How’ve you been? Nice place you have here, although I’ve seen better.” The short, stocky man trudged down the stairs and strode over to Chad, giving his hand a firm shake. “Thanks for having us,” he said.

  “Yes, thanks for having us,” she said as she narrowed her eyes at Brian.

  Chad’s sense of good luck that Emma was Brian’s sister rather than girlfriend flitted away as quickly as it had come as Skip moved next to Emma, their shoulders touching

  Emma stiffened and took a step back, twirling to look at the mountains once again.

  “Don’t thank me. I didn’t even know you were coming,” he said with a laugh. “I will say I’m glad you’re here, though. Perfect timing, actually. With the weather starting to turn, won’t be much golfing from here on out and I could use some people to play against.”

  Skip snorted as he pulled his hat down over his forehead. “I bet you could. Can’t imagine anybody would come this far out just to golf anyway. Good we’re here.”

  Dust plumed from the road that headed toward the ranch proper, and he shielded his eyes from the sun to see who Wade had sent. The big cart with the River’s End Ranch logo came into view, and Chad was glad to see Dani driving. She rarely did, as she was quite frequently off on Search and Rescue missions—tourists and residents alike seemed to get themselves in all sorts of trouble that they needed help out of—but he and Dani had gotten to know each other pretty well since he’d been living at the ranch, and he admired her dedication. He was happy to see her now and to introduce her to his friend.

  “Hey, Chad,” she said as the cart pulled to a stop on the helipad. “Hello,” she said to the guests as she nodded. “I’m Dani Weston. Welcome to River’s End Ranch.”

  “Thanks,” Brian said as he shook her hand. “I’m Brian Jackson and this is my sister Emma.”

  Skip cleared his throat and strode forward, his hand out toward Dani. “And I’m Skip Williams. I’m sure you’ve heard of me,” he said as he leaned against his golf clubs, his sponsor logos front and center.

  Dani looked from the big-name logos up to Skip and held his eyes. “No, I don’t follow golf. You could be Tiger Woods and I wouldn’t know,” she said as she shook Emma’s hand.

  She turned and reached for their luggage, loading it into the back of the cart as Brian hid a smile behind his hand and Emma’s eyebrows rose. Skip studied his fingernails and the pilot smiled, tipped his cap at Dani and folded the stairs back into the helicopter.

  Chad grimaced at the twinge in his shoulder as he helped Dani load a suitcase into the back. “You don’t need to help me, Chad,” she said under her breath and smiled up at Brian. “We’ve got this.”

  They stood back as the rotors started to spin on the helicopter and the pilot nodded, taking the vehicle up and banking to the left as he hugged the mountains on his way back to Riston.

  “You wish you were on that one?” Chad asked Dani as he leaned against the cart, watching the helicopter disappear in the distance.

  “Nah. There’ll be one soon enough that I need to be on,” she said as she tucked the last bag in the cart and closed the tailgate.

  Chad nodded at Dani and turned to Brian. “Dani’s only got one seat on the luggage cart. Emma, you want to ride with her and I’ll take the boys to the Copper Cottage?”

  “Perfect,” Dani said as she rounded the vehicle.

  Emma nodded at Chad and headed toward the luggage cart, her skirt swishing over her cowboy boots as she did. Chad couldn’t help but watch her go, her hair shimmering in the afternoon sun. He turned away as she stepped in, pulling her skirt in behind her and flashing them a gorgeous smile.

  He turned back to the guys, his hands on his hips. “Well, boys, I’d take you on the course now, but I bet you’re tired.”

  “Tired? Not tired enough to pass up a chance to school you in the game of golf, my man,” Skip said as he hefted his clubs over his shoulder. “Too bad you can’t give us a run for our money.”

  Yep, same old Skip, Chad th
ought as he remembered what it was like to hang around with this guy on the tour. They’d all been young, and the young guys had hung around together and try as they did, they could never get Skip to peel off.

  Well, he wasn’t going to let it bother him. He was nearing the end of a very successful tourist season, the greens were still in great shape, his good friend Brian was here and there was a beautiful girl in tow. What could be better?

  CHAPTER 3

  Emma scooped her hair into a pony tail and threw her skirt over her knees as the souped up golf cart zoomed away from the helicopter. She took one last look back at the helipad—and that extremely good-looking golf pro who was helping her brother and Skip into his own golf cart—and sighed. When Brian had asked her along on this trip, she’d needed a break—a break from everything, including work. Especially Skip.

  It wasn’t until the very last moment before they’d taken off from Orlando that her stomach sunk as she looked out the window of the plane. The stairs were rolling back toward the door and she spotted Skip—the man she’d been working her sports therapy internship with for the past several months, her last assignment before becoming a full-fledged sports therapist on her own. She groaned as she’d turned to her brother.

  He’d looked away from her with a sheepish grin, shrugging his shoulders. “He said he needed a vacation, too. What was I supposed to say?”

  She’d hastily set all of her textbooks that she carried with her on the seat next to her and looked away, pretending to be fascinated with something out the window and she let out a breath as he said, “Hello, Emma. Can’t wait to spend some R & R with you,” but kept walking, sitting in the seat behind her.

  Now, as he prattled on about something with her brother and the golf pro, she was glad to be speeding away in the company of this new woman, who’d introduced herself as Dani Weston, one of the six children of the owners of this gorgeous place.

  “Hang on,” Dani said, and Emma grabbed the bar that was fastened close to the roof of this four-wheel-drive. The wind tickled her neck and her hair flew around her as Dani expertly navigated some bumps in the road, the luggage in the back secure.