Cranberry Point (Cedar Cove #4)(41)

This ranch had been Cliff's lifelong dream. He wasn't a rich man, but he'd invested wisely through the years and cashed in his Internet stocks at precisely the right time. The profits had afforded him the luxury of buying property in the Olalla area and starting his own small horse ranch.

Cliff had known Cal Washburn for a number of years. He'd first met him when the young man worked at Emerald Downs with Thoroughbreds. Cal, who seemed more comfortable around horses than people, was far and away the most gifted trainer he'd ever known. Cliff felt fortunate to have him on a profit-sharing basis. His ability to communicate with animals was uncanny; if Cliff believed in psychic phenomena, which he didn't, he'd almost think Cal could speak to horses in their own language. Unfortunately those communication skills didn't extend to people. Cal wasn't a particularly shy man, but his stutter had been a detriment in relationships, especially with women.

"S-some.. .l-l-lady ph-ph—called for you." Cal said when he saw him.

Cliff frowned.

Rather than explain, Cal reached inside his pocket for a slip of paper and passed it to him. Cliff didn't recognize the name and for half a second, he experienced a sense of disappointment. A part of him had wanted, had hoped, the call would be from Grace.

Things had ended between them several months ago, but he hadn't been able to stop thinking about her. At one time, their relationship had held great promise. After his divorce, he'd rarely dated. He'd spent twenty years married to Susan and for the last ten, the only reason he'd stayed in the marriage had been his daughter, Lisa.

Susan had been unfaithful, not once, but more times than Cliff could count. It was a sickness with her. Cliff had left the marriage with his self-confidence in tatters, and it was years before he'd had any interest in seeking out another relationship.

When he'd met Grace, she'd immediately had a strong effect on him, one of attraction, of liking and respect. Her husband had disappeared and for financial reasons, she'd filed for divorce. He admired the way she'd dealt with the situation. Once Dan Sherman's body was found, he watched her mourn her dead husband, and he grew to love her as she slowly emerged from her grief and pain. He'd looked forward to the day he would ask her to marry him.

It came as a shock when Grace lied to him. The thing was, Grace wasn't a natural liar. She was too easy to see through. That was when he'd decided to call it quits. He'd done so, but not without regret.

After he'd checked on Funny Face and her dam, Cliff went back to the house to return the phone call. He studied the name—Janet Webb—and didn't recognize it or the number. He was mildly curious when the voice on the other end announced that he'd reached the local animal shelter. He asked for Janet and was placed on hold.

"This is Janet Webb." The woman's clipped, professional voice caught him off guard. It sounded as if he'd interrupted some important project and she resented the intrusion.

"Cliff Harding, returning your call," he said in like tones.

"Mr. Harding." Her voice softened into cordiality. "I appreciate your calling me back. I know you've heard about our Dog and Bachelor Auction next week."

"I did hear mention of it." Cliff could hardly ignore the upcoming event; there were posters all over town, frequent articles in the paper—and even in the Seattle news. Cliff would be happy to make a contribution, but he wasn't interested in participating.

"We were disappointed to learn you haven't volunteered to be one of our bachelors." Her tone grew even friendlier.

"Yes, well—"

She didn't allow him to finish. "Your name's come up more than once and from several different people."

"I'm honored, but—"

"I'm sure you won't mind if I add you to the list, then." Her voice was triumphant—as though she'd successfully outwitted him.

The woman was nothing if not persistent. "I don't think so."

His adamant refusal gave her pause. "Is there any particular reason, Mr. Harding, that you don't want to support the animal shelter?"

He opened his mouth to remind her that he did support the shelter, but, again, wasn't allowed to respond.

"One would assume that all animals would hold a place in a horseman's heart. One would assume that a horseman—"

He broke in. "I believe my trainer, Cal Washburn, is one of the bachelors—on my recommendation.'' Cal wasn't likely to forgive him for that anytime soon. Volunteering Cal was supposed to serve a double purpose: to get Cliff off the hook and to give Cal some exposure to local society, specifically female society. He was a young man, after all. To Cliff's surprise, he'd eventually agreed to participate, as long as he wasn't expected to do any public speaking. Cliff assured him all he'd have to do was to stand up on stage and listen to the women fight over him.

"Yes, I see Mr. Washburn on the list," Janet said. "But what about you?"

"I'm flattered you'd ask me personally, but I'm sorry— no." Even for charity, he had his limits.

"I see," Janet said in a severe voice. "What if I told you that your participation could have a very big impact on the shelter?"

"How do you mean?"

"Someone who prefers to remain anonymous has offered to make a large donation if 1 can convince you to volunteer for the auction."