He stepped out of the shower and reached for the towel to wrap around his waist as he headed for the bedroom. He was just about to get something from the drawer when his phone rang. With an impatient sigh, he strode over to the table and picked it up, his expression softening as he saw who it was.
“You're supposed to be sleeping.”
“And you were supposed to call me back. I called like a dozen times. I don’t appreciate being made to feel like a stalker.”
“I was the one who was always stalking you.” He sat on the side of the bed, intent on talking to her. “I thought you were asleep and I didn't want to wake you.”
“Is that the real reason or do you have some woman stashed inside our bed.”
His smile turned whimsical. “You said ‘our bed’.”
“That’s right, buddy. You would do well to remember that. What’s wrong?”
“What makes you think something's wrong?”
“The fact that you didn't call me back. I figured you were out on the ranch.”
“We lost a mother and her calf,” he told her briefly. “Breech birth and the mother lost too much blood. It was a damned mess.”
“I'm sorry honey. I should have been there with you.”
“I wished you were. But I guess I have to wait a couple more weeks. It’s a good thing anyway because there was a bitch of a snowstorm earlier today and most of the roads have been cut off. The men are gathering the snowmobiles to go out and help the elderly people who are snowed in.”
“I'm planning to come this weekend.” She told him softly.
He blinked in surprise. “I thought you said a couple more weeks.”
“Is that a problem?”
“Are you kidding me? You just made a very lousy day, something to celebrate! If I have to go to the airport myself and clear the runway, I'm definitely going to do that. I cannot wait for you to get here Amy. I miss you.”
“I miss you too,” she told him. “So much.”
“That’s good to hear. How's our baby?”
“Trying my patience. I'm now off shellfish.”
“I'll make it up to you.” He paused. “I'm hard for you Amy.”
“Is that something you need to tell me over the phone?” She demanded.
“I figured I shouldn't be the only one suffering,” he told her with a grin. “I can't wait to see you.”
“Same here. Try and get some sleep.”
“You too. Goodnight, Amy.”
“Goodnight, Lance.”
He hung up the phone and sat there wondering why he hadn't told her that he loved her and wanted to marry her. That was because he wanted to do it in person. He wanted to look into her eyes and go down on one knee and propose to her. With a rueful laugh he flopped back onto the pillows and closed his eyes. Within minutes he was fast asleep without even being aware of it.
*****
He was waiting for them at the airport when they came in on Saturday. The weather had held up as if to welcome her back and a watery sun was making its way across the sky. snow, still fresh and powdery, was piled up on sidewalks and in the ditches where the snowmobiles had dumped the substance after clearing the roadways. The air was crisp and sharp, with a slight bite to it. They came outside to see him leaning against his jeep, his feet crossed at the ankles, his scarred jacket opened to the waist. His jet-black hair was tousled by the breeze and he wasn't wearing a hat.
“Is that him?” Rosemarie whispered as the came through the doorway of the small airport.
“Yes.” Amy felt her knees buckling as he lifted his head and his green eyes met hers.
“I can see why you didn't want to stay away any longer. Honey, he's scrumptious!”
“Isn’t he just?” She grinned as he came striding over to them. “The chauffeur had the weekend off?” She teased him.
“I wouldn't trust him with my most precious cargo.” He tilted her chin up and kissed her on the lips. “Hi.”
“Hi.” She clung to his wrist, her dark eyes drinking in the strong, attractive face. Shaking her head, she turned to Rosemarie, who was taking in the scene with a look of envy on her face. “This is my best friend Rosemarie, Rosie, this is Lance—”
“There is of course no need for introductions.” She stuck out a hand for him to take, her eyes widening in surprise when he pulled her in for a quick hug.
“We don’t stand on ceremonies around here. It’s very good to meet you Rosemarie and any friend of Amy’s is a friend of mine.”
“Too bad I did not see you first,” she said with a plaintive sigh.
“It wouldn't have made a difference,” Lance told her with a grin as he turned to look at the suitcases. “How many of these are yours?”
“Four.” The expression on her face told him what he wanted to know.
“Good.” He took her into his arms again as if he was unable to help himself. “Welcome home.”
“Thanks. Okay let’s get out of here before I beg you to take me right here.”
He grinned at her and planted a rough kiss on her lips before beckoning someone to help with the luggage.
*****
Somehow, he forced himself to play tour guide to the curious and enchanted Rosemarie who kept exclaiming about the enchanted beauty of the place as they whizzed by. “Honey, you were right to drag me here! This is the perfect vacation spot! I'm surprised that I haven't been here before. This beats Paris in the winter.”
“It has a certain charm to it,” Lance agreed, his eyes going to the woman lying back in the seat next to him, her eyes closed. “Tired?” His hand came to rest on her denim clad thigh, causing her eyes to open as she looked at him.
“We've been traveling since early this morning and the ride was a bumpy one.”
“You should have allowed me to send the jet for you.”
“You have a private plane.” Rosemarie shook her head and sighed. “Of course, you do. You are after all a billionaire with a ranch and several other assets. I looked you up on the internet and that spread you have goes back several thousand acres! How do you keep track of that amount of land and cattle?”
Lance met her eyes in the mirror and smiled. “I employ a number of ranch hands. I'm afraid you aren't going to be able to brave the weather to go out for the tour, but it will get better in a few days. January and February are the most brutal months, but we have some good days.”
“I packed my fleece lined boots and coats so I think I'll be okay.” She looked out the window. “That mall looks new.”
“Just a year old.” Lance turned on the left indicator and made the turn. “A renovation of the old one that was there. The ranch starts here.” He pointed to where there were cattle grazing at the perimeter fencing. “This is the east side and there are several barns scattered all over the property to house the livestock when the weather gets to be too much.”
“You supply beef to several countries all over the world,” Rosemarie murmured as she peered out of the window in rapt attention.
“We do, and we also sell the cattle to several different ranches in several states. Our beef is the best in several states. We rear horses as well but mostly use them on the ranch. My dad, and his dad before him, believed in doing ranching the old-fashioned way, and so do I.”