Free Second Time Around by Katherine Allred Page B

few months old, so I guess it’s been about four years now,” she mused aloud. “Raising cattle and horses simply doesn’t pay enough anymore. It’s the tourists that keep us going. Jackson Hole has gotten very popular. Not only do we take groups out riding daily, but once a month we have a trail ride and campout. They’re our biggest draw, booked solid weeks in advance.”
    “What about during the winter?”
    She took a drink of coffee before answering him. “It slows down a little and we don’t do the campouts, but there’s always the people who come to ski and snowboard.
    They like our sleigh rides.”
    “Sounds like you’ve got a good operation going.”
    Her brows lowered. “We aren’t hurting, if that’s what you’re implying. The ranch makes a good living.”
    Quinn straightened, his voice quiet when he replied. “I wasn’t implying anything. I was just curious about the ranch.”
    Of course he was curious, she realized. This had been the only real home he’d ever known. That’s why it had surprised her so much when he’d offered her the ranch as part of the divorce settlement. Although apparently he hadn’t. Her lips thinned and she glanced at her watch before pushing her plate aside.
    4“I have to go get the horses ready. If you need anything, ask Martha.”
    He gave her a lopsided smile. “I think can still find my way around.”
    Doing her best not to look like she was bolting, she escaped through the back door.
    * * * * *
    Quinn closed the office door and turned to Duncan. “Did you get a chance to check out the bunkhouse?”
    “Yes. It’ll take some work, but it should be okay as a gym. The hot tub will have to go outside, though. I figured we could put a deck in the back with a fence around it to keep Zack from falling in.”
    “Are you sure all this is really necessary?” Quinn frowned. He hated the thought of Lanie finding out about his leg.
    “You know it is. You’ve only been off the crutches six months. You can’t afford to let that leg go at this point. Not if you want to keep seeing improvement.”
    Quinn sighed. “Okay, why don’t you start calling around and find someone who can do the work?”
    “In a few minutes. First I want to know something. You aren’t actually planning on getting on a horse, are you?”
    “Not in front of Lanie.” Quinn smiled ruefully. “I know my limitations. But sooner or later, I will ride again.” He held up a hand when Duncan started to protest. “I promise, I’ll start slow, and only when you’re around.”
    “Quinn, your leg is still too weak. It hasn’t been that long since your final surgery.”
    “And it won’t get any stronger unless I start using it. You just told me so yourself.
    Now make those calls.”
    “Fine.” Duncan moved to the desk. “But I don’t see why we can’t have the equipment moved from the apartment. It would save a lot of money.”
    “I don’t care about the money. I’d rather spend twice what it’s going to cost than take anything from that apartment. It never belonged to me anyway. It was my father’s.”
    “You’re the boss.” He reached for the phone. “Why don’t you start the warm-up exercises while I’m on the phone and get them out of the way? Guess we can do the massages on the floor until the new equipment arrives.”
    With a sigh, Quinn started stretching to loosen his muscles, only listening with half an ear to Duncan’s conversations. What was Lanie going to say when she found out they were transforming the bunkhouse into a personal spa? Better yet, what would he say? He wasn’t ready to tell her about his leg. Not because he thought she’d be put off by it, but because he didn’t want her pity. He could take almost anything but that.
    His mind wandered back to earlier, in his room. Yes, she had definitely been nervous. Did she remember that he slept naked? Probably. Last night she’d told him 4that sex was out of the question, but he knew her too well to mistake the