Snickerdoodle Secrets (River's End Ranch Book 25) Read online

  Erica sat down beside him and rested her hand on his arm. Just being in her presence calmed him, and he covered her hand with his. They’d spent so much time together in such trying circumstances that it didn’t surprise him when she read his mind.

  “You’ve been diligent in caring for him. None of this is your fault,” she said softly.

  “Thank you, but it is.” He ran his hand through his hair and stood. “Let’s check some more. I think if they came back to the ranch facilities they’d be here. They just still be out in the woods.”

  They hopped back in the car and drove around for what seemed like hours. They checked every small dirt road, and at the end of each one of them, got out and hollered, “Rocky! Indy!,” but had never seen hide nor hair of them.

  “I guess we’d better head back. It’s getting dark,” Randy said, feeling as defeated as he likely sounded.

  Erica’s phone rang and she reached for it. “It’s Ellie,” she said, and he held his breath as he listened. They’d filled Ellie and Will in as soon as the dogs took off, and Randy knew they were looking for them, too.

  “Yeah? Oh, my gosh. That’s great news. I can’t believe it. We’re so sorry. Okay, thanks.”

  She clicked off and dropped her phone back in her pocket. “Will got a call that the dogs are at the bookstore, of all places. Melissa, the owner, called and said they were both there. She didn’t know who Rocky was, but she recognized Indy, and like I said she called Will. He’s going to meet us there.”

  “Guess we should have searched in town more than out here. He hadn’t even been in town, so I didn’t think he’d land there. But people and dogs do funny things when they’re in panic-mode.”

  “I guess,” Erica said, and she sounded as relieved as he felt.

  They pulled up to the store as the same time Will did, and Randy shook his hand and apologized. “I’m really sorry, Will. I guess Rocky panicked, and Indy took off after him.”

  “Man, I bet that was a surprise. From what Melissa said, though, they’re fine, so worst case, Indy got a lot of exercise.”

  Randy tried to smile at Will’s gracious acceptance of his apology, but he still felt rotten.

  He followed Erica and Will into the book store, and they all three stopped short. There, in a corner of the store where Melissa normally read to guests, were Rocky and Indy, both sound asleep. Melissa held her fingers to her lips and shut the book she was reading. She tip-toed over to Randy and Will and first off said, “They’re fine. They really are. No injuries.”

  “What the heck happened?” Randy asked, rubbing the back of his neck. “We looked everywhere. How did they end up here?”

  “Hey, it would have been cool if they were wearing a collar-cam. Then we’d know where they went,” Will said as he smiled.

  “Yeah, that would have been great,” Melissa agreed. “When I called, Ellie told me what happened. You all must have been frantic with worry.”

  “We were,” Erica said. “Thanks for finding them.”

  Melissa laughed. “I didn’t find them, they found me. I’d propped the door open because I was expecting some deliveries and they strolled in. They looked pretty tired. Their tongues were hanging out of their mouths, so I gave them some water. The German Shepherd seemed a little agitated still and was pacing, so I grabbed a book and started reading until I could call Ellie. They promptly fell asleep. Just like that.”

  “Oh, that’s so sweet,” Erica said. Rocky and Indy were asleep side by side, with one of Indy’s paws resting on Rocky’s.

  “I hope it doesn’t say anything about my ability to read a story,” Melissa said as she placed the book back on the shelf. “I didn’t even try to show them the pictures.”

  They all laughed, and Randy said, “I’m sure your voice was very soothing, and thank you so much. That’s Rocky. He’s my service dog.”

  Erica glanced at him, her eyebrows raised, but he continued.

  “Will, I’m terribly sorry. I truly didn’t expect that to happen, although I probably should have.”

  Indy woke up and came straight to Will, her tail wagging as he bent to pet her. “Hey, there, girl. Nice to have you back.”

  “I certainly didn’t think she’d follow him that long,” Erica said.

  “In my experience, there’s nothing you can do to stop true love,” Will joked as they watched Indy wake Rocky up with a lick of his snout. “No harm done.”

  Randy thanked Melissa again as Will and Indy headed out.

  “You’re very welcome. And nice to meet you, Randy—and Rocky,” Melissa said and she patted Rocky on the head as they left.

  When they got to the porch, Randy leaned against the post by the railing and closed his eyes for a moment.

  “That was scary,” he said. His eyes still closed, he felt Erica’s arms around his waist and he hugged her back, wishing that he could do this more often.

  “It sure was. I don’t think I’ve ever been that worried.”

  With Erica still in his arms, he rested his cheek on top of her head. She was shaking, and he remembered what she’d told him—that she didn’t want to be lonely, didn’t want to be worried about someone she loved. He had nothing to offer her but that, and today made that more clear to him than it had been before.

  He let her go and took a step back. “Thank you for everything. The picnic, for helping. I don’t know how to thank you.”

  She tilted her head as he stepped back, away from her. He thought he saw sadness in her eyes, and he certainly knew that his heart was breaking. Almost losing Rocky had just confirmed for him that he loved Rocky and the woman who’d stood by his side all day while they searched for him. But he couldn’t see a way around his predicament, so there was no point.

  “No need to thank me,” she said. “It was a privilege and an honor to help. And to get to know you both,” she said. She tried to muster a smile, but it wasn’t quite right.

  “Same here,” Randy said as she turned away. “Goodbye, Erica. And truly, thanks for everything.”

  She waved over her shoulder as she headed back to her cabin. No point in long goodbyes, but he was pretty sure he saw her swipe at a tear before he turned to Rocky.

  “Ready to go home, boy? Guess it’s time.”

  Chapter 16

  Rocky wouldn’t leave Randy’s side after they got home from his panic-run. Emma cooked a nice dinner, and he and Chad sat by the fire after they’d cleared the dishes. Emma even offered Rocky some of the leftover barbecued steak, but he wouldn’t budge. He was back to his quiet self, with only an occasional wag of his tail.

  “He needs to eat,” Emma said as she cast worried glances in Rocky’s direction. “Maybe Erica’s secret dog food mix would do the trick.”

  Randy groaned and rested his head against the couch. “I can’t ask her.”

  “I noticed you didn’t eat much either,” Chad said as he put down his golfing magazine. “Why can’t you ask her? What’s up?”

  Randy rubbed his eyes, then leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, stroking Rocky’s head for a moment.

  “Yeah, why can’t you?” Emma asked as she sat down on the couch beside Chad.

  Randy smiled as Chad draped his arm over Emma’s shoulders and she clutched his hand. She rested her head against his cheek, just like Erica had done a week ago, and he wished she would do it again.

  “Look, it’s like this. Erica doesn’t want anything to do with a military life. None of it. She was raised an Army kid, and doesn’t want to travel.”

  Emma leaned forward and frowned. “Really? It’s pretty clear that she has feelings for you, Randy. Have you tried to talk it out?”

  “Yep. Several times. And I know she has feelings for me, just not enough.”

  “Aw, come on, man,” Chad said. “I’ve seen the way you both look at each other and it’s pretty clear. You two should be together, just like me and Emma.”

  Emma smiled up at Chad. “That’s right. And Rocky loves her, too.”

  Ran
dy shook his head slowly. “I just can’t give her what she wants, and that’s not fair.”

  “Why not?” Chad said as he stood and walked over to the shelf with Randy’s medals and awards. “You’ve served the country for quite a while. Didn’t you say you were just now at another re-up period? Why not just get out. Stay here?”

  “What would I do here? The Army is my job. The only one I’ve ever had.”

  “Hey, remember when I was on the pro tour and I thought that’s all I could ever do? Trying something different changed my entire life.” He reached for his wife’s hand.

  “I didn’t want to travel anymore either,” Emma said. “I may not have wanted you if you were still on the tour.”

  Chad’s eyebrows rose. “What? You fell in love with me at first sight. I don’t believe that for a second,” he said in mock indignation.

  “Well, I don’t know. But it worked out,” she said with a smile.

  “It’s not so simple for me and Erica. We’re worlds apart on this one.”

  “We were worlds apart, too. I was in an internship that my boss wouldn’t let me out of. In the beginning, we thought there was no way we could be together,” Emma said.

  “That’s right. I know I told you that story. I had to win a golf tournament for her hand.”

  Randy laughed. He had heard the story, but still didn’t see how it had any bearing on his current dilemma.

  They all looked at Rocky as he stretched and started to snore.

  Emma reached down and pet Rocky. “Looks like he likes it here, too. We’ll get him to eat again, I’m sure. And he loves Erica’s food that she makes for him.”

  “Ironic, since she doesn’t even boil water. And interesting that I don’t even care. I love being with her, whatever we do.”

  Chad perked up. “Did I hear the word love?”

  Randy thought for a moment, and it struck him. He did love her, and that made it about a thousand times worse that they couldn’t be together.

  “Chad, I’m leaving day after tomorrow. I don’t know when or if I will ever be back. It’s not fair, even if I do love her.”

  Emma brought a tray of coffee cups and saucers out from the kitchen and set it down on the table. She sat right next to Randy and rested her hand on his arm.

  He looked into her eyes, and he saw what Chad must see—a beautiful, kind, funny woman. He was a lucky man.

  “Randy, it’s none of my business, so I’ll only say this once. There are things that are magical about this place, this ranch. You and Erica are meant for each other, and it was just as tough for us when we tried to figure out how to be together.”

  “I know, Emma, but—”

  She held up her palms to him and interrupted. “I can’t look at all those medals over there and think for one second that you’re the type of man who would give up. On anything, let alone someone you love. I’m sure you’ll figure out a way.”

  She took her coffee into the kitchen and started on the dishes.

  “My wife is one smart cookie. You should listen,” Chad said as he leaned toward his brother.

  “Cookies. It’s all about the cookies,” Randy said with a laugh. He watched as Emma took off her wedding ring to wash the dishes and he remembered something he’d brought with him to give to Chad.

  “Just a second,” he said as he went into his room, coming back with a black, velvet box.

  “What’s that?” Emma said as she dried her hands on a towel and sat down beside Chad.

  “It’s our mother’s ring. I thought you might want to have it, so I brought it.” Randy opened the box and set it on the table.

  The square-cut diamond sparkled in the firelight. Emma picked it up and looked at it then fingered the ring she’d put back on.

  “It’s wonderfully special that it’s your mother’s. And it’s really beautiful.”

  She closed the box and set it back on the table. She wrapped her arm through Chad’s and kissed him on the cheek. “I love the ring Chad picked out for me.”

  She leaned forward and reached for the box, putting it into Randy’s hand. “I’m pretty positive that this is for you, Randy. And you’ll know exactly what to do with it.”

  Chapter 17

  Erica did her best to get some sleep—not an easy thing to do after her conversation with Randy last night. It hadn’t gone the way she wanted it to, at all. But in thinking about it, she shouldn’t have been surprised that the two of them couldn’t resolve their problems. There was no other way it could have gone.

  Of course he had to stay active duty—he was career military, just like her dad. There wouldn’t be any other choice for an Army man, and she should have seen it coming.

  And she’d been completely honest with him from the beginning about her feelings about being a military wife and mom. She just couldn’t raise her kids like that—if she ever had any—and he shouldn’t have been surprised that going overseas wasn’t even an option for her.

  She’d found a home, here at River’s End Ranch, and it just wasn’t open to discussion. It was cold comfort, though, and she slipped on her dress she’d gotten just for the baby shower—a pretty gingham one that flounced just below her knees—and pulled on her red cowboy boots to match.

  Her fingers lingered over one of the ribbons Randy tied on the baby shower basket, and it was all she could do to shake the memories of all the fun they’d had putting the favors together, caring for Rocky and the thrill they’d shared as he got better and better.

  She squared her shoulders and ran her fingers through her hair and reached for the baby shower basket, determined to forget and move forward even though her heart was breaking.

  The last ribbon on the prizes for the baby shower games was tied, and the basket was full of everything they’d need for the shower—diapers, candy bars, yarn, pictures of Belinda and Wyatt and the entire Weston family that Mrs. Weston had provided—and even some big suckers for prizes.

  It had been scheduled for a Sunday afternoon specifically so that they could have it at the cafe, and as Erica headed over, she made it just in time to help Kelsi get the twins out of the car and in their strollers and through the doors.

  “Where’s Shane?” Erica asked. Except for the one time she’d seen Kelsi at the cafe when Randy’d first arrived, she hadn’t seen her without Shane or the twins since they’d been born. She knew they were happy at the Kids’ Korral, but it was extra special that she’d bring them for Belinda’s shower. When Belinda has insisted on small, she knew she hadn’t meant to exclude the twins—not that Kelsi would have, anyway.

  “He’ll be here after for family dinner, like all the guys. He decided to pass on the shower part, even though I invited him.”

  Erica looked around, and although she hadn’t really thought about it, the shower appeared to be turning out women only, which was probably a good thing given Randy’s reaction to the games. She smiled as she recalled his face when she’d described the dirty diaper game, and her heart tugged at the realization she wouldn’t be seeing that face soon.

  “Everything all set?” Kelsi asked as they settled by a table. “It looks great!”

  “Thanks, Kelsi. This has been a bit of a challenge. Between Dani’s Search & Rescue training, her wedding plans and this shower—I swear, if it weren’t for Lily I’d have run away with my hair on fire a long time ago.”

  “Lily’s the best, and you shouldn’t have had to worry about much of this anyway. Why have you been? I mean, the Search & Rescue I can see, especially with that handsome Army guy I’ve seen you hanging around with. But the wedding was Lily’s, and Dani did the shower, right?”

  Erica’s breath hitched. Actually, Kelsi was right. If it hadn’t been for Mrs. Weston’s extra surprises for Dani it would have been pretty manageable, but she’d been sworn to secrecy.

  “Oh, actually, it’s been great. I love to help. Truth be told, though, Dani’s not exactly the type to plan a baby shower. I mean, for future reference.”

  Kelsi picked up Vi
ctoria and handed her to Erica, who froze for a moment before she softened and got into a rhythm, rocking back and forth.

  The three-month-old cooed, her piercing blue Weston eyes searching Erica’s face and she melted. She hadn’t held many babies and it surprised her that it just felt—right, somehow. She’s always been afraid she’d drop a baby if she’d ever been faced with the necessity of rocking one, but suddenly that didn’t seem possible, and something inside of her changed as Victoria nestled against her shoulder.

  She jumped as Jaclyn stepped up behind her and whispered, “Looks pretty natural for you to be holding a baby.”

  Erica smiled wistfully as Mrs. Weston reached for the baby, claiming right of grandmother-hood. Erica set Victoria gently in Mrs. Weston’s arms.

  “Is everything I asked for here for the wedding?” Mrs. Weston asked as she bounced Victoria. “Everything should have come by now.”

  “Yes, yes, it has.” Erica stood stock still, not sure if she should confess that Dani had found the purple Chinese lanterns—all the things Mrs. Weston had ordered.

  “My dear, you look a little pale,” Jaclyn said. She raised a brow in Erica’s direction as Mrs. Weston sat down at a nearby table with Kelsi.

  “Oh, Jaclyn, I’ve made a total mess of things. Dani found out about the things Mrs. Weston wanted to order and I had to come clean.”

  Jaclyn glanced over at Kelsi and her mother. “How did Dani take it?”

  “Pretty well, actually. She said she thought something like that might happen and she had a contingency plan.”

  Jaclyn laughed and tucked a stray gray lock into her bun. “I’m sure she does. Dani’s pretty resourceful and experienced at keeping her mother at bay when she gets a little too—over-zealous, shall we say.”

  “Should I tell her?” Erica asked, as she shifted from foot to foot and watched Mrs. Weston.

  Jaclyn tapped her chin. “I say just leave it alone. Things always have a way or working themselves out.”