Page 12 of In Love with a Ranger

“Two bites, one winner and one loser this round,” Jill chuckled, looking at her husband.

“Can I tell Giselle you said that?” Houghton chuckled easily as if the two were sharing some private joke. Yeah, Gideon really didn’t need anyone running to tattle to his sister because then it would be the topic of conversation at the next Beck Bonanza, dang it! Now, he was referring to family gatherings like that.

“HEY!” Gideon snapped hotly. “This was her foolish idea and…”

“You’ll be thanking her in a month.”

“Late January in Wyoming? I think not…”

“Are we ready?” Jill asked openly. “Is everyone buckled?”

“I am,” Lena volunteered.

Gideon muttered something foul under his breath – only for Lena to unbuckle, pull his latch forward, fastening him into place as he glared at her. He didn’t need help, nor did he need to give this woman a reason to coddle up even more to either of the Houghton’s side, further alienating him.

“I don’t want Jill to break your other leg,” Lena said sweetly. “You are sour enough as it is.”

“Oh, I like her!” Houghton laughed. “Let’s get out of here, Jill. Round two is tomorrow.”

“We’re fishing again?”

“Two more bites…”

“You’re on, handsome.”

Gideon half-listened to the women prattling back and forth in the van, talking about new beginnings, hope, and other stuff. Yeah, he was tired of everyone trying to pour sunshine down his throat. He just wanted the world around him to stop spinning for a moment so he could get his footing or catch his breath. It wasn’t long before they pulled off the main road, jarring the van slightly as they ran over the cattle guards located at the entrance of a long dirt driveway that led to a cabin in the middle of nowhere.

Literally nowhere.

There were no other buildings out here that he could see from his angle. Nothing down the highway in either direction. There were mountains in the distance, trees, and a barn, but that was pretty much it. No town, no community, no shopping malls, not even a gas station. It was extremely remote – and nice, he thought morosely. If I wanted peace and quiet, I’m getting it in spades now.

Gideon managed to get out of the van after a few minutes – and comments from Lena, who was immediately shuffled into the cabin by Jill. The woman had obviously taken a shine to her, making him feel like chopped liver, only to see Houghton watching him.

“Are you ready to start over?”

“I suppose.”

“You either are – or you aren’t – and I need to know where your mindset is right now because I don’t know you from Adam,” Houghton said bluntly. “I’m opening my home to you, putting you among others who have been entrusted to me to take care of them… and I take it very seriously.”

“Okaaaay,” he drawled, looking at him.

“I’m serious, Beck,” Houghton began again. “I need to know if you are willing to give this all a chance, to do what is needed, step out of your comfort zone, and take a chance on things being a lot different than you’ve ever imagined…”

“Why on earth is everyone getting goofy and weird about this?”

“Because your life is going to change the second you enter my ranch – and it’s my job to make sure it’s for the better. If you aren’t open to change, then I need to let Giselle and Logan know that it’s not time. There’s no shame, if you aren’t ready…”

“I didn’t say that I wasn’t.”

“Then relax, drop your ego at the door, and relax. You are among friends here – and how close a friend is completely up to you.”

“First off… that’s weird,” Gideon snapped warily. “Secondly, eww? If you are suggesting I cozy up to Lena, you’ve got another think coming. She’s not my type. Third and final – my ‘door’ doesn’t swing that way, and you’ve already mentioned I’m sharing a cabin with someone named ‘Chris.’ So yeah, my mind is open, but my ‘drawers’ most assuredly are not. Are we clear, or should I spell it out for you?”

Houghton laughed and picked up Gideon’s bag, hefting it up.

“I think we are clear, my friend,” Houghton grinned. “I understand you perfectly well, but you are about to get schooled in how the world works. Yeah, we’re speaking the same language but saying two different things – and I think this is gonna work better than anticipated.”

To his shock, Houghton turned and walked inside, leaving the door open behind him, waiting. It was like he was waiting for Gideon to make the decision to join them, a mental game that if he walked forward, then he was taking this step. The man turned and looked at him, remaining still, and Gideon started forward, closing the door behind him. Jill and Lena, who he thought had left, were walking past them now and heading toward the back entrance of the large cabin. Houghton was moving forward, ushering him to move, and he did.

---