Loving Her Cowboy Boss Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Loving Her Cowboy Boss

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Epilogue

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  Chapter One

  Spring took forever to arrive. The warm fingers of the late April morning sun caressed Sam Walter’s back as she and her psychologist friend, Renee, paddled from the Morrin Bridge area where they spent the night, back to Drumheller.

  Sam admired the glassy, peaceful calm of the Red Deer River. “It has been a great weekend so far with you and your family, Renee.”

  “Trust me. It’s been fun for us too. I hope we can do this more often.”

  “I agree. I always thought the rougher the waters, the better the fun. But, this is another kind of fun,” Sam said.

  “Rough waters are too much excitement for me. Plus this is more convenient, as we found a great campsite for just us. It was a good thing we decided to go further yesterday. Having kids with us means the camp at Morrin Bridge wouldn’t have worked. At least, not the way we want it.”

  “I quite agree,” Sam said.

  The temperature was just right for a lazy Saturday for both of them, and Renee's husband graciously kept their children at the camp site to allow them some free time before Sam went back. A number of cows, a recurring sight along the river, grazed on its bank. Loads of birds; white pelicans, bald eagles, blue herons and red tailed hawks beautified the experience from the day before. Not to mention the beautiful badlands scenery from the water that Alberta provided.

  They talked and chatted, enjoying their sedate trip. The sun was becoming warmer as the morning crept by. “I wish you could stay with us all weekend.”

  “I’d have loved to. But, you guys need this time as a family. Besides, I have some things to do.”

  Renee nodded.

  Something burst free in Sam and a song floated into her mind. She lifted up the I feel so free song and belted out the lyrics at the top of her lungs. Renee watched her sing with a huge smile on her face and then joined in as they paddled to a clear area on the river bank. Sam didn't care they weren't alone at this time of the day. If someone thought they just lost some screws, so be it. When they finished, they both burst into laughter. It'd been a while since Sam felt this good. She laughed until she almost tumbled out of her canoe. That made her friend laugh all the more. They pulled up onto the bank, climbed out of the canoe and flopped on their bellies on the sandy beach.

  Sam glanced at her friend and love for her flowed. Renee was just like the sister she never had and Sam could only be grateful that their paths crossed.

  When they quieted, Renee turned to her. “Sam, you do not look like anything you've been through.”

  “All thanks to God and you, Renee.” Then she got serious and sat up. “I don't know what I’d have done without you.”

  “Are you afraid now he’s been coming around your place?”

  She thought about Todd, her ex-husband. She knew first hand what he was capable of doing. “I think I am. He hasn’t gotten physical, though. So fingers crossed.” She tried to force a smile, not wanting anything to dampen their morning.

  “Let’s talk about your plans now your student is going back to school and you have nothing lined up. Do you still intend to relocate like you planned?” Renee asked quietly. “We’ll miss you. You’ve become a big part of our lives and church. But we care for your safety.”

  “I’ve actually thought through it. Todd will find me if he sets his sight on doing so. I think finding myself in a strange place and the possibility of him coming after me is more scary.”

  Renee nodded, thoughtful. They both knew why she couldn't do anything about her situation. Todd was a police officer and he had arsenals to help him track her down. Who would she call?

  Changing the subject, Sam said, “I saw Audrey’s mom the other day. She says Audrey feels confident now. I’m glad they want to give her a shot at going back to school.”

  Renee waded into the water and splashed herself to cool off. “I’m glad she’s improved so much and understands she’ll learn to be creative and not compare herself with others. I spoke with her at the youth meeting. Thanks to you, Sam. Finding out she was dyslexic as late as they did wasn’t funny. But finally, it was like the last puzzle fell in place. You’re an encouragement to her.”

  That was what Sam had worked for, prayed for. To affect one child after another. No one should suffer the kind of things her brother did. She swung her mind from that direction. Every time she helped yet another child, she remembered him. It was hard to forget. And she wouldn’t rest until she found ways to make his dream come true. He wanted to help kids like himself. “I give God thanks for that.”

  “You my friend, are a natural.”

  Sam smiled and rose. “Thanks but I have you to thank too. I’m finding the me I lost, and introducing me to the Campbells meant I didn’t have to go back to work in the school where I felt like everyone pitied me.” Her throat closed up.

  Renee followed Sam. “God causes all things to work together. I’m glad it all worked out. What’s your plan for the rest of the weekend?”

  “Put in some applications. I’m hoping I find another home school situation, but if not, I’ll take whatever comes.”

  “I’m praying for you.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  They made the walk back to where Sam’s car was parked. Renee hugged her. After a few seconds, she stepped back, Renee’s eyes were red with unshed tears. She was a softie and was good at what she did.

  “I had fun. Take care of yourself, will you?”

  “I will.” Sam climbed in and wound down her window. The morning air was too soothing to let go to waste.

  She sighed. She hadn't decided yet what she really wanted to do. Waving, she pulled out and drove down the long parking lot and headed out. Renee was going to canoe back to her family to enjoy the rest of their weekend.

  Sam needed to shop for a couple of weeks. Now may be the best time to take her much needed vacation from it all, at least to celebrate her escape from an abusive marriage, one year and counting. She was getting back to doing things she couldn’t do in a long time. Pictures of white Sandy beaches and clear blue water played across her mind.

  Just the thing to do. Working helped her live in the present. With her parents cruising round the world, she had no one else to turn to. Something they’d done for the better part of her twenty-six years. If only Bryan hadn’t—

  Why did she seem like the only one who had not moved on after her brother’s death?

  The question hung in the car. Minutes later, she swung into the parking lot of a grocery shop.

  She headed for the fruit and vegetables aisle and selected crisp apples, a box of strawberries and some vegetables, one week’s worth. Next, she picked some canned foods. Cooking for one wasn’t appealing.

  I know you m
ight think it’s too soon. But, you should think of mingling again. Her friend’s words flickered through her mind. Not everyone is like Todd. Sam rubbed the scar on her side. One of many scars she got in the three years she was married to Todd. That’s not counting the emotional ones. She’d survived. And that was that. Shopping concluded, she headed for the checkout.

  Once her purchases had been rung up, she headed back for her car.

  No more melancholic reminiscing.

  But before she went home, she needed to make one stop to see Audrey. Sam had missed her birthday and wanted to drop off a little gift she’d bought for her student. She dialed Audrey’s mom’s number. When she came on the phone, she said, “Is it too early to drop by? I’m in the area and wanted to drop off something for Audrey.”

  “That's fine. When are you coming?”

  “Right away.”

  “Great. Audrey needs some love. She misses you and is second guessing her decision to go back to school.”

  “Aww, I’ll talk to her when I get there.”

  “Watching for you.”

  Sam ended the call and slipped her phone away. She loved kids and knew how to connect with them. Yet, she didn’t plan to settle down anytime soon. That’s if she ever did.

  ANDY’S PEDIATRICIAN waved Chance Caruthers to a seat that Wednesday afternoon.

  “You sounded frantic on the phone.” She set her stethoscope on the table and sat down.

  “Three days in a row, Andy’s been in after school detention for fighting. His teacher has been lenient because he’s been a good kid until now.”

  “Have you talked to him about his actions?”

  “I have, but he clamps down and says nothing. Would dyslexia also cause him to become violent?”

  “No. Based on the evaluation he’s had, we don’t think he has anything coexisting with dyslexia. Did you ask the teacher if there’s a possibility he’s being bullied?”

  “I did. She said nothing of the sort is happening. He’s given to fits of anger these days. I don’t seem to know how to connect with him.” He plowed a hand through his hair. Chance was failing woefully and he knew it. Everything was fine until the whole diagnosis thing and then navigating the whole process. But, fighting? It was a whole new dimension he didn’t know how to deal with.

  “How about changing his class. He’s new. Feeling different can be hard on a first grader as he doesn’t understand why he’s the way he is.”

  “If I’m confident that could help him, I wouldn’t mind. I’m open to anything. But, suppose that doesn’t change things for him? His teacher complains he’s not cooperating with studying too. And she says if he fights again, they’ll have no option but to suspend him. I’m afraid of what that will do to him.”

  The lady was quiet for a spell. “This may not be what you want to hear, but have you considered homeschooling him, at least for a while, to give him time to adjust to his challenge?”

  “I don’t have skill for homeschooling a child, talk less of a special needs one. “

  “I could link you up with a friend of mine. Sam is a certified Orton-Gillingham tutor and has helped a number of my clients with good outcomes.”

  “Anything. I’m at the end of my rope here.”

  She picked up her phone, scrolled through it and dialed a number then placed it to her ear. “Sam, are you available to come to my office?"

  She listened and Chance hoped the man would be ready to work with Andy. He glanced at the charts on the wall that was meant to make the small room, child friendly. Several alphabets and picture charts hung beside the bookshelf with large volumes of medical books. He never loved anything that wasn’t calculation and had been the reason why he’d gone into accounting. Imagine his shock when his son couldn’t even read his alphabets at almost six, not from lack of effort on his part. Chance had put it down to the fact that maybe he didn’t know how to teach a child Andy’s age. He thought starting school would fix that but it hadn’t.

  “You got five minutes?" she asked when the call ended. "Sam is volunteering at the pediatric unit today and will join us shortly."

  “I’ve got all day.”

  But when the door opened minutes later, he was disappointed that the person who entered wasn’t the person he was waiting for. He glanced at his wristwatch. It was more than five minutes already.

  The doctor hugged the brunette with dimples the size of a nickel. Then Dr. Chris Deholander turned to him. “Chance, meet Sam Walter, educational speech-language pathologist.”

  He couldn’t help the frown that creased his brows. “I thought Sam was male?”

  She shook his hand, a smile cutting the dimples deep in her cheeks. “Short for Samantha. You’re not the first to make the assumption.”

  No. Not a female.

  Chapter Two

  The shock had not cleared from the warm brown eyes that regarded her with suspicion.

  “I’ll leave you both to talk. Heading for my rounds. Sam, you just pull the door shut on your way out.”

  “Sure.”

  She surveyed her potential client quickly, who looked to be six feet plus. He spotted a sparkling white tee shirt under a striped button down shirt which he left unbuttoned. If his sturdy boots were anything to go by, she was sitting before a cowboy. It dawned on her that Chris didn’t even tell her anything about the man before her.

  He coughed. Sam’s cheek flamed but she put on her best smile. “Mr. Caruthers, Dr. Deholander said you’d like to see me.”

  He scratched his day old stubble of dark brown hair that matched the one that graced his head. Cool, attractive, self-assured...

  “I was thinking I’d work with a male.”

  “Do you have anything against female teachers?”

  He had the grace to blush. “Uh... I’ll find another person.”

  “Why?”

  “Do I have to have a reason?” He rose and went to the door.

  Sandy beaches rose to mind. But this would be a missed chance to help yet another child.

  “Your child, a girl or boy?”

  “Boy, why?” The suspicious look was back in its place.

  “You want to give him a chance, don’t you?” He didn’t answer. “I’ll give you references. People I’ve worked with.”

  His hand on the knob, he turned, uncertainty filling his brown gaze.

  “I know you can find someone equally as good as I am. But give me a chance to work with your son."

  “Is this some kind of crusade for you? You don’t even know what the problem is with him. What made you think you can help me?”

  Walking over to stand a couple steps from him, she faced him. Only she understood why she did what she did. Crusade may be a strong word but...

  His arrogant brows hiked. He was expecting an answer. “Maybe. I know the kind of children Dr. Deholander refers to me. Let’s give your son a shot.”

  He stared at her for what felt like forever, then slipped his hand behind his back pocket, handed over his Samsung phone. “Input your number. I’m going to find someone else. If I change my mind, I’ll get in touch. And I’d love to talk to the people you mentioned.”

  “Fair enough.” She took the phone, punched in her cell phone number and dialed it so she could save his on her phone. She handed it back to him. He held her gaze for a split second, doffed his hat and walked out without a backward glance. Sam bit her lips. Interesting man. But somehow, if he was averse to working with females, there’d be a long story there.

  If you’ve been betrayed by a woman, then welcome to my league of betrayed people.

  The little boy was her focus.

  LATER THAT DAY, A SULLEN Andy sat in the truck’s back seat as they headed back to the ranch a half hour out of town. Chance’s heart clenched at the look in his son’s eyes- defiance, a stubborn set to his jaw and Chance's heart plunged into his belly. He’d never seen the look before. He feared the detention Andy had had in the last three days broke his spirit instead of fixing the problem.

>   While he waited for the detention to end, he’d decided what he’d do and he needed to set the wheels in motion today. He knew jack as far as homeschooling was concerned, but he’d figure it out. He always did. Right from when Teresa had abandoned three-year-old Andy to his care while he also battled with the ranch and his dad’s deteriorating health, until his demise a little over two years ago, it’d been an uphill struggle. Thanks to his loving sister whose supportive husband had allowed her to return home with the kids and help out for a season. His cousin, Ronnie had been a huge help too. But she had her own life now with her being close to her delivery and all.

  Memory of the lady at the pediatrician’s office filtered in.

  He’d been expecting a male. Imagine his shock at finding out the supposed male was female. She seemed so sure of herself. Sun kissed brown hair and hazel eyes that commanded a second look. He needed to be wary. Twice beaten, many times shy. From her classy six inch open toes—the kind Sierra, his sister loved to wear—that displayed hot pink polish to slacks, she wouldn’t fit into his ranch and schedule. She was made for an air-conditioned office with swiveling chairs—a life he’d chosen for Teresa’s sake but had to give up when she left him.

  He loved the land he worked, and those four years married to Teresa working a rigid nine to five, were like nightmares. He was glad to be rid of that life, glad to work and be his own boss doing what he loved. The teacher couldn’t be different from his mom and his wife. Those didn’t hang around. He would scout for someone else.

  He soon drove through the gate and turned into the long stretch of land that led to his driveway. He cut the engine minutes later and undid his seat belt. Swallowing a huge sigh, he climbed down.

  “Let’s get in buddy,” he said after unstrapping the boy and getting him out of the truck.

  When they got into the ranch house, he set Andy’s lunch box on the kitchen counter and followed him into the living room. Andy stood sullenly, his small arms crossed over his little chest. “Come here.”

  He gestured to his son to sit on the sofa, then he squatted before him. “I need you to help me understand why you’ve turned into a fighter all of a sudden. And why Bruno? He’s not the only one in the class. Getting into a fight with the same person three days in a row... what’s going on Andy?”