Rough Rider (Hot Cowboy Nights, #2)(75)

“Hey, Janice.” Donna Knowlton greeted her with a smile. “Come on in. I just made a pot of coffee.”

Janice followed Donna to the kitchen where she sat at the breakfast bar while Donna poured out two cups. “Where’s your son and your mama?” Donna asked.

“Cody’s outside getting acquainted with Dirk and Red Man. Mama’s still feeling under the weather.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Donna’s brows met with a look of concern. “Is she OK?”

“I honestly don’t know.” Janice shook her head and stirred her coffee. “She says it’s just her arthritis, but we’re gonna talk when I get back. I think keeping the place up is way too much for her. Besides that, the old house needs repairs we can’t afford. I know she’d considered moving up to Helena before Cody and I came home. She has a widowed cousin who has a nice place in one of those high-end retirement communities. She invited Mama to move in, but I think she’s stayed here for Cody and me. Now I feel guilty about it. I thought things would work out for all of us once I got here, but it’s been a lot harder than I expected.”

“Times are tough for a lotta folks,” Donna replied sympathetically. “We were considering selling our place as well, but it looks like Dirk might finally be able to turn things around if I can only keep Wade and Justin out of his way.”

“So you believe in Dirk’s new breeding program?”

“I do, but Wade wants nothing to do with ranching anymore, and my husband’s too set in his ways to give Dirk the free rein he needs to make a go of it. With any luck, Justin and I will be wintering in Arizona this year, which will give Dirk a free hand to do things exactly as he sees fit without Justin’s well-meaning interference. He’ll need help though. He can’t run the place by himself.” She gave Janice a thoughtful look. “How’s it working out between the two of you?”

Janice diverted her gaze into her cup. Her relationship with Dirk wasn’t exactly a secret from his family, but she wasn’t ready to talk about it, especially with his mother. “I don’t know. Has he said anything about it?”

“No.” Donna laughed. “He wouldn’t, but I have eyes in my head. You’ve been good for him, Janice. I can’t tell you how different he’s been. I even caught him whistling once. If that isn’t proof of a Knowlton man in love, I don’t know what is. Justin only whistles after…well…” She gave a slow sly smile. “Let’s just say, only when he’s particularly…content.” Donna winked.

Janice flushed from her neck to her hairline. “I’m just taking this one day at a time.”

“Smart girl.” Donna nodded.

Janice drained her coffee cup and glanced out the window. “I’m a bit anxious about how it’s going with Dirk and Cody.”

“Then why don’t we go out and see?” Donna suggested. “I need to call Justin in to clean up for dinner anyway. He always loses track of time when he’s tinkering in the workshop.”

“But I promised Dirk I’d stay away for an hour,” Janice said. “He thinks Cody won’t listen as well if I’m there. He’s probably right.”

“Well that doesn’t mean we can’t watch them unobserved for a few minutes,” Donna said. “Come and sit on the back porch with me. We might not be able to hear everything, but we can see the corrals just fine from there.”

“If you’re sure we won’t get caught.”

“I’m sure. I kept tabs on my boys for years unnoticed. They didn’t get away with half the things they thought they would.”

Cody was already on the horse, sitting solid as a rock and trotting circles around Dirk who looked on with an expression of approval. The sight of them together filled Janice with emotions she couldn’t even name.

At Dirk’s nod, Cody nudged the horse into an easy lope.

“Will you look at that!” Janice declared, but Donna didn’t answer. She glanced at the other woman to find her leaning heavily on the porch rail. Her face had visibly paled.

“Are you OK, Donna?” Janice asked.

“No, Janice. I don’t think I am,” Donna murmured in reply. “Please excuse me. I need to go inside for a moment.”

“Should I get Dirk? Or Mr. Knowlton?” Janice asked in growing alarm.

“No. I’ll be fine. I—I just need a minute.”

Janice had never seen Donna Knowlton so discomposed. As soon as Donna left her, Janice descended the porch steps, heading toward the corral in rapid, ground-eating strides.

“Mama, I loped the horse,” Cody exclaimed. “Mr. Dirk says I’ll earn my spurs in no time.”

“That’s wonderful, Cody! I’m so proud of you,” Janice declared, then slanted an anxious gaze to Dirk. “I’m worried about your mother. She seems to have taken ill all of a sudden. She got real pale and quiet. Does she have any heart problems or anything like that?”

“Not that I’m aware of. Shit! Where is she?” Dirk demanded.

“In the house. I think maybe you should go and check on her. I’ll take care of Cody and Red Man.”

Dirk looked like he wanted to vault over the panels but then thought twice. “Go get my father, would you?” He was out the gate and jogging toward the house before she could even reply.