The Rancher's Surrender

Chapter 8

The chores were easily divided. Zoe handled the business aspect and most outdoor duties, negligible as they were until they got stock. Maddie handled all meals and worked with Delia on the inside of the ranch house, trying to repair and clean up all the damage from neglect, which was extensive. And expensive.

Zoe reconciled the ranch's bank statements. They'd opened a new bank account to keep track of finances. Then she divided the bills into two: the pile that could wait a little bit longer, and the pile that could wait a lot longer.

She sighed and rubbed her forehead.

"That bad?" Delia came into the room, or rather flowed into it, looking beautiful and serene in a long silk pantsuit the color of a fresh, blooming lilac, despite how hard she'd worked all day removing ancient wallpaper, which had been rough, relentless, messy work.

Zoe could ignore the fact that her own T-shirt was wrinkled and her jeans ripped at the knee, because how often had Delia offered-begged, actually-to make her some new clothes? But it was hard to ignore how tired and discouraged she felt. "Not too bad," she lied, hesitant to say more.

Relations between her sisters never changed. They loved and supported one another through thick and thin, no holds barred. But Delia and Maddie didn't quite understand her obsession with being the true owner of Triple M and she knew it. She knew, too, that they would bury their hurt rather than press her about it.

It was a disgusting little truth about herself that shamed Zoe. It was wrong, this burning need to belong above all else, including her sisters' happiness. She hated that about herself.

Delia's mouth tightened, even as her eyes warmed. "Don't lie to protect me, hon. I know how tight the money situation is. Just tell me." Gracefully she sank onto the only other chair in the bedroom they'd converted to an office. "Are we going to make it?"

Lying would be good here, but Zoe just couldn't look into Delia's face and do it. Instead she studied the small room and what they'd done to it. The house had been cleaned and put into amazing shape in just the short time they'd been here, but all that effort had to be credited to Delia and Maddie, since Zoe had spent most of her time and efforts outside.

Even so, the large ranch house was now clean, and because it was, the treasure of the house shone through. Rustic wooden ceilings. Terrific wooden floors. Large hallways and breezy rooms. Of course most of that loveliness needed work, badly. Windows needed replacing. The outside needed new siding, trim and painting. The plumbing was pretty much shot. And Zoe was convinced that one good wind would take the roof right off.

The overall effect was shabby but clean, and full of character. And since it was theirs, all theirs, Zoe had never loved anything more in her life.

And she didn't intend to lose it.

Still, nothing could disguise the fact that they had a lot of house, more than three thousand square feet, but they had no idea what to do with it all.

Delia leaned back and studied her latest manicure, silver nails with gold sparkles. "I guess your silence answers my question pretty well."

"I could lie."

"And I'd know it," Delia pointed out calmly. "I always know when you're lying, I have since we were five and you dipped my hair in the red paint and tried to tell me Kenny Harkins did it."

"Well, how was I supposed to know you had eyes in the back of your head?" But the memory brought a smile to Zoe's lips, and they sat in companionable silence a moment.

"Is it that bad?" Delia asked softly. "Are we in that deep?"

"I don't know." Zoe shook back her hair and sighed. "I didn't count on spending nearly all of our nest egg on getting the buildings ready to house animals. I also thought there would be some animals."

"What are we going to do?"

Zoe thought about hedging, but in the end she had to say the rest, because if she didn't unload she was going to burst. "I don't know," she admitted. "Even if we had enough to stock the place with animals, not to mention hire the help to care for them, which we don't, we wouldn't have any extra for mistakes. Or even to allow for a bad season."

Maddie came into the office bearing a tray of tea and cookies. "You both look worried. Maybe this will help a little."

Zoe didn't have the heart to tell her sister that food wasn't going to cut it this time. But then her nose kicked into gear, going into overdrive at the scent of vanilla and chocolate. "Oh Lord. Are they warm?" she asked hopefully, leaning forward, her month watering, her fingers already reaching for a handful of fresh, still-hot chocolate-chip cookies.

"Of course they're warm." With a small smile, Maddie handed Zoe a napkin. "Help yourself. I'll pour you some tea."

Zoe moaned at the first bite as chocolate melted down her throat. "Okay, this will definitely help."

She didn't try to continue her conversation with Delia until she'd put away three more cookies and an entire mug of steaming tea with tons of lemon.

Delia restrained herself to a single cookie, watching disdainfully as Zoe stuffed herself. "God. How do you do that?"

"Easy." Zoe eyed the tray and decided she could have just one more. "I open my mouth and shovel. Chewing's optional."

"And you don't gain a pound. That's disgusting." Delia slid an elegant hand down her trim figure. "I'd pay for that binge for weeks."

"Well, maybe you oughta give up Oprah and bonbons and work harder," she suggested, ducking when without losing an ounce of her cool calm Delia flung a manila file with deadly accuracy at her head.

Zoe straightened and grinned. "Hey, don't hate me because I can pig out."

Delia sniffed. "Well, at least I'm beautiful. I can always diet. You on the other hand…"

Maddie sighed at the familiar bickering. "Girls… please. Here, Zoe-" she handed her another cookie "-put this in your mouth."

Delia laughed. "Yeah, Zoe, stuff that trap shut."

"Delia," Maddie said mildly. "Drink your tea."

Her tummy comfortably full, Zoe sat back, watching Delia carefully to make sure she didn't get clobbered again.

Delia watched Zoe with equal attention.

Maddie sighed, but the sound was full of affection. "Now, tell me what's up."

"We've got money trouble," Zoe admitted.

"So?"

"So?" Zoe laughed. "Didn't you hear me?"

Maddie shrugged. "We've got money trouble. What's new?"

Zoe stared at her and then laughed again. "Well, that's putting it into perspective."

"It should," Maddie said. "Don't tell me you've forgotten all those nights we sustained ourselves on nothing but a twenty-nine-cent box of macaroni and cheese."

"With water instead of milk," Delia added. She laughed fondly, then groaned. "Yuck. We might be back to that soon."

Zoe's stomach growled at just the memory. There'd been plenty of tight times after they'd left their group home together, determined to remain a family despite all the insurmountable odds.

Three eighteen-year-olds, innocent yet toughened by life. Eventually Delia had found her niche working in a beauty salon, catering to the rich who so fascinated her. Maddie had always cooked, first at Hamburger Palace, true, but she'd worked her way up to much fancier establishments.

And Zoe… she'd had the hardest time finding her place. She hadn't known what she wanted out of life other than she wanted more. Finally she'd ended up at a city college, then the university at night. She was the only one of the three with a degree.

Business management.

She nearly laughed. What would she do with it on a ranch out in the wilds of Idaho?

Hopefully she'd pull this off, that's what.

Delia stretched. "It sure is getting old, being poor. I want the good life, dammit. I want someone else to give me a manicure for a change. And believe me, when I do, I'm going to tip really good."

"You'd never let anyone give you a manicure," Zoe pointed out with a laugh. "No one would ever do it just right and you know it."

"Well, that's because no one is as good as I am." Zoe rolled her eyes and turned to Maddie. "If we've always struggled, why am I so stressed-out over this one?"

"Because it's different this time," her sister said wisely. "It means more."

"It does, doesn't it," Zoe murmured, staring off into space. "Because it's ours." She straightened, determined. "And we won't lose it."

"No, we won't lose it," Maddie said, equally determined.

"No failing allowed," Delia agreed. "But I have to say here, if you'd just let up a little with the whole Ty situation, you could have it much easier."

Here it was, Zoe had known she wouldn't be able to avoid it forever. "You want to let him in, don't you. You want him as a partner."

"Would it be so bad?"

"Yes."

"Why?" Maddie asked, and Zoe didn't have an answer. "I mean, have you seen how that man fills out a pair of jeans?" Delia asked her incredulously. "Good Lord. He's got the greatest-"

"Delia!" Maddie broke in, horrified, laughing. "How his bottom looks is absolutely irrelevant here."

"How did you know I meant his butt?" Delia lifted eyebrows so high they disappeared into her perfectly aligned bangs. "You've been noticing, too, Maddie, haven't you? Admit it."

Maddie blushed to her roots. "Knock it off."

"You have." Delia laughed. "It's okay. I mean, he's gorgeous. You'd have to be dead to-"

"Got it." Zoe gritted her teeth at this candid discussion of the center of her nightly fantasies. "I don't care how he looks in jeans-"

"Oh, yes you do," Delia said calmly, smiling in a way that made Zoe want to smack her. "I've seen you drooling with lust."

"It was anger! That man is annoying as hell."

"Uh-huh."

Zoe looked to Maddie for help, but Maddie was giving her a small, knowing smile. "You know," her supposedly shy sister said slowly, "the way you lose it around him is very telling. I think maybe you protest too much."

Delia grinned and nodded. "Yes. Yes, she does."

Maddie's eyes weren't teasing but serious when they landed on Zoe again. "Did you know that Ty grew up on the streets of Chicago, without any supervision or attention or money or anything?"

Zoe blinked at Maddie, unsettled by the quick shift between lust and life. "What? He told you this?"

"Sure." Maddie poured more tea for herself. "He seemed to really understand the bond between us. So I asked him why and that's when I found out how hard it was for him. His parents didn't take care of him. He grew up pretty rough."

That day in the truck, when Zoe had blurted out how guilty she felt about losing Constance before she'd gotten to know her, she'd sensed Ty's deep understanding, his deep grief about something she didn't understand.

And she hadn't pressed for answers, not wanting to pry.

No, that wasn't quite true, she admitted. She hadn't pressed because she didn't want to get to know him well. If she got to know him, she might care. And she didn't want that.

Only problem-it was far too late, she did care.

And now she yearned on top of that caring. Ached for the boy he'd been, all alone, just as she had been.

But at least she'd had her sisters.

Who had Ty had? She didn't want to know, didn't want to picture Ty as a lonely, frightened boy. "Let's leave Ty out of this," she suggested.

Delia gave her a knowing look. "Can you?"

"Of course I can."

"Uh-huh."

"Look, can we just get back to the fact that we're drowning here and I'd like to make this work? Without a partner?" Zoe let out a breath at both Delia's and Maddie's faces, which reflected both amusement and doubt. "I know you guys like and trust him, and I know it would be far easier if we let him in, but I just think we can do this alone."

There was a moment of thoughtful silence. Then Maddie reached across the desk for Zoe's hand. "I do like him, but I won't force you to do something you don't want."

Delia held back another minute and let loose a disgusted sigh. "Hell, hon, if you want to pass that fantastic man up, I think you're a fool. But I'm with you. We do this alone."

Zoe blinked, for the first time considering that maybe Delia wanted Ty. It wasn't a silly thought, both Ty and Delia were adults. Human ones. But clearly Delia sensed the attraction between Ty and Zoe, and she'd never jeopardize that Zoe opened her mouth to tell Delia to feel free to make a move on Ty, but something held her back-a sort of strange ping to her midsection.

Too many cookies, she told herself. Yeah, that was it, too many cookies.

Ty relaxed and bit back a grin, taking a moment to enjoy his view.

It consisted of three shapely female rear ends, each wiggling enticingly.

Maddie, Delia and Zoe all stood in varied positions, painting the front of the main house. Ty could have told them it was hopeless, that some of the siding needed to be replaced first and the trim was all but shot.

But it would have been useless and heartless since he doubted they could afford to have the place fixed properly, anyway. If a cosmetic upgrade was what they wanted, they were doing a fine job.

So he held his tongue and soaked up the interesting sight. Zoe saw him first, when she backed down from her stepladder. Surprise registered, then annoyance, then the expected temper. "You were staring at us," she accused him, dipping her roller into the paint. The sun lit her hair like fire. Her eyes were lit the same way, but it wasn't from the sun.

He rocked back on his heels, enjoying himself. "Yep."

Zoe's eyes narrowed at him, then she turned as if to confirm what he'd been looking at. Delia and Maddie were still painting, which meant their nice rears were still rocking and rolling.

Zoe's teeth were grinding together when she looked at him again. "Get a nice show?"

For weeks now Ty had been struggling to break through Zoe's barriers. He'd tried sweet-talking, he'd tried humor and sharp wit. He'd even tried seduction, and all it had gotten him was a bellyful of Zoe's fist.

Her indifference remained, except for when he infuriated her, which was surprisingly easy. Then he got a full range of emotions, mostly anger.

He'd take what he could get. Besides, he loved the spark that rage brought to her usually pale cheeks. Loved the heat in her eyes and the way her body reacted, whether she was aware of it or not. "Very nice show, thanks." He grinned. "Don't stop on my account."

"Was there something you wanted?" she asked from a clenched jaw.

"You know, you have a bad habit of talking like that, all tightened up. You're going to have jaw problems later on in life."

"Thanks for the tip. Now, if you'll excuse us…"

Delia and Maddie put down their rollers. It was late afternoon, and each of them had pink noses from being out in the sun. Delia still looked predictably put together, signaling she'd taken plenty of breaks. So did Maddie.

But Zoe had a streak of paint across one cheek and exhausted eyes.

Ty had already put in a full day training horses. More than a full day, actually, since one of his trainers had been sick. He'd been up since before dawn and was as exhausted as Zoe looked. All he wanted was a hot shower, lots of food and some sleep, and not necessarily in that order.

Zoe, still glaring at him, swiped at a strand of hair blowing in her eyes. In the process she streaked more paint across her face and hair. Her shoulders drooped imperceptibly.

From too much work? Or the prospect of what she still had to do?

Either way, dammit, he was stuck.

Hell. "Give me a roller," he muttered.

"Here," Delia said quickly, handing her roller over without a qualm. "You don't have to ask me twice." She winked at Zoe and brushed her hands together. "Darn, now I don't have anything to do. Guess I'll head inside…"

Zoe shook her head in disgust and watched her sister leave. She turned to Maddie. "Go ahead," she said. "You take a break, too, you've been at this all day."

"So have you." Maddie swiped at her forehead, dipped her roller and started to lift it to the wood.

"It's okay, we've got it," Zoe insisted. "Go on, Mad, rest it. Okay?"

"Okay, but I'm making dinner, then." Slowly Maddie set down the roller, then looked at Ty. "You won't let her chase you off, will you?"

He smiled at her. "If you're cooking? Not a chance."

"All right, good. Stay and eat with us."

His smile spread, and it was genuine. "I'm not arguing."

Zoe was silent until Maddie had gone into the house. "We don't need any charity help."

"You've been feeding me for several weeks now, so we'll just call it even."

"I doubt a little food can compare to the work you've put into this place."

"I'm still manager, Zoe."

Her movements as she painted were jerky and it wasn't from inexperience. He'd caused it. He wondered if their close proximity disturbed her as much as it did him.

"I've had enough people in my life who've tried to manage me," she grated, rolling paint. More rolling, almost violent now. "And I don't intend to ever have another."

"I'm not trying to 'manage' you, Zoe. Just doing my job."

"Same thing."

He watched her paint and wondered how to break through to her. "Have I ever asked you to do something you don't want to?"

She ignored him, which stirred his own temper. He took her wrist, held it still to stop her movements and leaned close. "Have I?"

"No," she admitted, tugging at the wrist he refused to loosen.

"Stop holding on to your painful past like a shield, Zoe. I'm not the enemy."

Silence. Her mouth tightened and that was it, he was tired of fighting her. "Zoe?"

She stopped struggling but didn't look at him, so he simply yanked her closer. "It's time to live," he said, not very kindly. "Live for yourself. And dammit, why don't you try to enjoy it for a change?"