“Oh, hey, how’s it going?” Hank asked.
“It’s okay. Trying to keep up with everything.”
“Yeah, it’s a lot. Tina really runs the show. Sorry she wasn’t here to show you the ropes.”
“I’ve got Mitch. He’s been great. He said she’ll be back in time for the festival.” Mitch had said they were still hosting the event.
“Yeah, she wouldn’t miss it.” He kicked the tip of his boot in the dirt. “It’s hardest for her, I think. She was the one who took care of Kurt at the end. He wouldn’t let anyone else in the house. Can’t really blame her for taking off for a few days. It’s got to be tough to be in that house without him.” Hank’s gaze roamed across the meadow. “Kurt was the best. It’s weird not to see him driving a tractor or fixing a fence.”
“I know. I keep thinking I’ll run into him.” He probably shouldn’t bring it up, but he needed to understand. “Why didn’t he tell anybody?” Well, me, really.
It hurts that he didn’t.
“It all went down pretty fast.”
Having lost his parents and his grandfather, Declan knew loss never got easier. Grief was insidious, grabbing hold of your lungs and squeezing. It made a man feel pretty damn helpless. “Mitch said it was an embolism?”
“Yeah. Started as a stroke. Tina noticed he had a slight limp, so she made him go to the doctor. And then a specialist saw the clot. There was nothing they could do.” Hank took a few shaky breaths. “They said he could go at any moment.” He paused again, then cleared his throat. “Basically, he wanted to get his things in order. He passed a few weeks later.”
“He’ll be missed.” Stupid words. Meaningless.
Kurt had turned the land his family had wrestled with for a hundred and fifty years into a model of sustainable ranching. He’d taken a bunch of reckless, wild kids and made them into elite hockey players. He might’ve been quiet, but his presence was authoritative and profound. He led by example, and when he focused on something, he gave it his all.
“Doesn’t seem right to hold the festival without him.”
“Kurt wouldn’t have had it any other way.” Hank smiled. “You know what he said when Tina suggested canceling it?”
“The loom ladies are already on their annual trek out here? That people have been dreaming about his bison burgers all year? That it keeps the past alive?”
“You knew him well.” Hank chuckled. “Yes, to all of that.”
“What can I do to help?” He thought of all that lemonade in the freezer. Which, unfortunately, called up an image of slim, toned legs and sexy, long hair. Soft, bouncy breasts cupped in lace. And those eyes.
Through them, he could see all the way to her sweet, feisty, wounded heart.
And he liked the view way too much.
“Just like the ranch, he’s got everything covered. I don’t know if you remember Glori Van Patten, but she’s been running the festival for him since they first started dating. She’ll be here tomorrow for a meeting. You can talk to her then.”
He did remember her. Nice lady. “Sounds good.”
Hank shifted uncomfortably. “Rumor has it, his daughter’s going to sell the place.”
Word spread fast in a small town. “It’s too soon to know what she’ll do.”
“A lot of people have been working here a long time. For most of us, this is more than a job. Kurt…well, he made it more like a family.”
“I know that. And I can’t speak for her, but I can promise you if I win the contest, nothing will change.”
He stuttered out a laugh. “Frankly, I needed to hear that.”
“I don’t suppose she showed up for work this morning?” He’d been up early getting a handle on the accounting and bookkeeping. Kurt had two offices. His private one was locked, but the business one…well, that was where Declan would be spending his days.
“She sure did. Right on time…to tell me she’d found another job on the ranch.”
“Huh.” She must’ve talked to Mitch. “How’s that going to work for you? Don’t you need someone to do Tina’s chores?”
“I do. Though, to be honest, she doesn’t muck the stalls. I added that one to the list because it frees up one of the hands, and we’ve got a lot going on now that we’re down one guy.” Hank lowered his head. “I’m not sure any of us realized how much work Kurt did around here until he…left.” He sighed. “Anyhow, if it’s too much for her, I can get someone to cover everything till Tina gets back.”
Too much? Or too hungover? “I’ll talk to her. I don’t see why she can’t do her fair share.” Last night, he’d spent an hour cleaning up after her just so she wouldn’t be embarrassed. Chocolate frosting wasn’t easy to get out of carpet fibers. “I’m heading into town. Need anything?”
“I was going to get a generator for the Airstream, but it looks like she moved into the house.”
“She did.” It was a big house, but between her scent, her big personality, and that smoking hot body, she took up a lot of space. “I’ll see you later.” Flipping the key ring around his finger, he got into Kurt’s old Jeep. He’d always loved this car. No top and no doors meant he got to experience the awesome views and the chill in the air that swooped down from snow-capped mountain peaks.
It was also the same car Kurt drove to pick Declan up from the airport or take him to the training center. Yeah, it held a lot of memories.
Heading out of the driveway, he found it hard not to notice the empty seat next to him. Damn. I hope he knew how much I cared about him.
He’d thought it—he’d just never said it. They just weren’t like that. Kurt had always dressed up his invitations to visit as a favor. Why don’t you come out for the winter clinic? I need some help. Not, what’re you doing for the holidays? You’re welcome to spend them here.
But they’d both known the real reason. They were each other’s family. Right then, he sure wished he’d hugged the man and told him…well.
That I loved him.
And he did. He’d loved Kurt. Fuck. I should have said it. Regret got him in a chokehold. He shouldn’t have died not knowing how much he meant to me.
As he neared the end of the driveway, he slowed while the sensors tracked him and opened the gate. Just before he turned left onto 191, he caught a shock of color in his peripheral vision. What the hell? Phinny sat at the farm stand in another of Kurt’s jerseys. This one was maroon and gold from the University of Minnesota, his alma mater.
He slammed on the brakes, jerked the gearshift into Park, and jumped out of the Jeep. “That shirt you’re wearing? It’s a collector’s item. It’s probably worth two-hundred-thousand-dollars.”
“Really?” She pulled out the fabric to get a look. “Huh.”
He pointed a finger at her. “You’re not selling it. Nothing in that house is yours. You realize that, right?” He’d have to talk to the attorney, find out what Kurt had planned for the contents of the house.
Phinny rolled her eyes. “I’m not selling anything. I borrowed a few of his shirts until I can get into town and go shopping.”