Cardwell Ranch Trespasser - By B. J. Daniels Page 0,21
and patted the cushion, indicating she should sit and spill all. Dee was thankful she had only Dana to deal with now. Dana saw what she wanted to and clearly loved finding a cousin she’d never known she had. Hilde wouldn’t have been fooled by her relationship with Rick.
“I can tell he still cares about you,” Dana was saying. “He followed you all the way to Montana to make sure you were all right.”
Maybe it would be better for everyone to think Rick was a boyfriend, then when she broke up with him and sent him packing, it would play well with the family. It could buy her more time here. She wouldn’t want to go back East right away after such a traumatic breakup.
“That’s why you quit your job,” Dana said. “Did you work with him?”
Why not give her what she wanted and then some? “He was my boss.”
“Oh, those kinds of things are so...sticky.”
“I knew better, but he was unrelenting.”
“I can see that in him. To fly all the way out here.”
“I should never have called him and told him where I was. But I knew he’d worry and I certainly shouldn’t have mentioned that I sprained my ankle.”
“You couldn’t know that he’d follow you,” Dana said. “He seems nice, though. Is there no chance for the two of you?”
No chance in hell. “He’s married,” she lied.
Dana looked worried. “Children?”
Dee shook her head. “He and his wife are separated. He’s always wanted children, but his wife didn’t. She says she doesn’t like kids.”
Her cousin looked shocked. “Oh, how awful for him.”
“Yes. I feel sorry for him, but he needs to try to work things out with his wife.”
Dana agreed.
Dee realized she was painting too sympathetic a picture of Rick. “He’s been so despondent since I broke it off and...” She lowered her voice. “He’s been taking...pills. I’m worried sick he might do something...crazy, between the depression and the drugs. Still I shouldn’t have called him to check on him.” Like she would have ever called him, but she was grateful that Rick was quick on his feet when it came to lying.
“You did the right thing. Just imagine how you would have felt if you hadn’t called and something had happened to him.”
“Hmm,” she said. “You’re right. But maybe I should go back home. I hate bringing my problems to your door.”
“Don’t be silly.” Dana reached out and squeezed her hand. “That’s what family is for.”
She’d always wondered what family was for. A part of her felt sorry for Dana. The woman was so caring. It must be exhausting.
“You’re tired and you’ve had such an emotional day,” her cousin said, glancing at her watch. The fact that Dana still wore a watch and didn’t always carry a cell phone told Dee how far from civilization she now was.
“I hope Hilde is all right.” She watched Dana’s expression out of the corner of her eye, trying to calculate whether or not Dana would call her friend to patch things up or not.
“It’s just a good thing Colt was there,” Dana said. “He’ll take care of her. I’ll give her a call later to make sure.”
“I feel badly about what she said.”
“Don’t let it bother you. She was just talking crazy because she was scared. Still, it wasn’t like the Hilde I know at all.”
She could tell Dana was worried about her friend. “Almost drowning would do that to anyone. I just don’t want to come between the two of you.”
“You won’t. I shouldn’t have insisted Hilde come on the raft trip. It really isn’t her thing. And anyone would have panicked if they’d been trapped under the raft like that.”
“It was just such a freak accident,” she agreed.
“I’m sure Hilde realized that, once she had a chance to calm down. I wouldn’t be surprised if she shows up tomorrow to apologize.”
Don’t hold your breath on that one. “I hate to even ask what you have planned for tomorrow,” Dee said with a small laugh. She hoped Dana would come up with something away from the ranch with Hud and as far away as possible from Big Sky and Hilde and Rick. “You really are showing me such a great time. How will I ever be able to repay you?”
“It’s my pleasure. I thought you’d like to ride up to Elkhorn Lake.”
“So you’ll be able to go?” she asked.
“No, I have to stay here. Hud is going to take you by horseback, if you’re up to it. The lake is