This Moment

By Robyn Kaech

Widowed at twenty-two and afraid to open her heart to again, Emma has evaded serious relationships for many years. The last thing she expected to find at a dude ranch in mountainous northern Idaho was the man who would remind her that hearts were meant to love. Jake was a man who knew what he wanted and nothing stood in his way from getting what he wanted. The moment Jake laid eyes on Emma he knew that she was for him. The problem was convincing Emma to be brave enough to trust again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Halstad House
• Release date: May 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9781949182057

Robyn Kaech

Robyn Kaech lives in Texas with her family. She has written several romances, including Runaway Pinkerton, This Moment, Jewel of Baleria, and Country's Cowboy.

Book preview

This Moment

Robyn Kaech

Halstad House

Copyright © 2014 by Robyn Kaech

Published by Halstad House

Smashwords Edition

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third party websites or their content.

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

Table of Contents

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

End

Chapter One

The plane braked. Emma’s stomach tightened. She could deal with flying but the sensation of the plane slowing in preparation for landing always got to her.

The pilot announced over the intercom that they were descending and would land in half an hour, on schedule. At least, Emma assumed that was what he said. It sounded like he was chewing marbles and the intercom cut out between every three words.

In the seat beside Emma, her sister-in-law Jessica was sleeping with her head bent sideways, mouth hanging open. Even sleeping awkwardly, Jessica radiated beauty.

Emma patted her shirt pocket. Yes, the two pieces of gum she had placed there were indeed still in the pocket, within easy access. That was the third time during the flight that Emma had checked her pocket to make sure she really had remembered to put the gum in her pocket before stowing her bag in the overhead locker.

Though Emma was excited about the trip to Idaho an edge of nervousness hung over her. Emma had been looking forward to the trip for weeks. A two week stay at a dude ranch was her idea of fun. Trail rides on horseback, bonfires, hiking, and being out in the great outdoors. Technically the visit to the dude ranch was a business trip, much needed research for her next book, but it was fun work. Trust Lucas to distract her with his complicated issues on the eve of her adventure.

The ranch they were heading to was an actual working ranch which took in guests for a short period of time each summer. Emma had packed a week early and counted down the hours to head to the airport. Then Lucas had called only hours before departure. He had just heard that she was leaving for several weeks and called to say that he would miss her.

The man had ignored Emma for weeks and suddenly on the eve of her great adventure he threw a big, fat guilt-trip at her. Emma tried to shut thoughts of Lucas out of her head but he had a way of getting under her skin. Throughout the entire flight she had focused on what to do about Lucas instead of planning her outline as intended. Maybe this was the time he would finally change.

Emma considered herself average looking. She was not Hollywood skinny but she was happy with her more athletic build. Emma’s wild mass of nearly black hair framed a heart-shaped face with cupid-bow shaped lips and dramatic brown eyes. If asked, Emma would say that her eyes were her best feature. Natural black eyelashes framed large, childlike eyes that swept up slightly at the corners.

Beside Emma, Jessica stirred. Jessica was Hollywood thin. Petite, blonde, blue-eyed, and strikingly beautiful, Jessica turned men’s heads wherever she went. Jessica was the reason why Emma felt merely average looking. Beside Jessica, Emma always felt slightly lacking in the beauty department.

We’re about to land, Emma said.

Jessica nodded and stretched her arms over her head, her back bowing slightly with the motion. The man across the aisle stared openly. Jessica yawned. I think I feel more tired after that nap then I did before the nap.

They were sitting directly above the landing gear and the floor under Emma’s feet vibrated as the landing gear was dropped with a loud thump and whine. Emma reached for her gum and popped both pieces in her mouth, chewing with determination. Jessica did not need gum to hold the ear pressure at bay. Emma did. If she did not chew gum her ears would be plugged for an hour after landing.

Jessica glanced over Emma at the clouds outside the window. I can’t believe you talked me into going to a dude ranch, Jessica said, plopping back in her seat.

Uh huh, Emma said. It had not exactly happened that way. Emma had not tried to talk Jessica into joining her but rather Jessica had begged to join her. Funny how that view had changed for Jessica.

Jessica’s idea of roughing it was being stuck at a hotel without room service. Yet she had wanted to come on this trip. She had begged Emma to let her come. Emma had eventually caved, as she often did to Jessica’s pleading. Of course Emma paid Jessica’s way as well. The dude ranch was not cheap.

The braking sensation increased. Emma chewed her gum even faster.

I’ll go with you! Jessica had exclaimed when learning that Emma was going to a dude ranch in Idaho.

I don’t know if you’d like it, Emma had said in complete sincerity.

Oh, it sounds awesome, Jessica said, staring at the pictures on the website.

Have you ever ridden a horse? Emma asked, knowing the answer. Of course not.

No. But it’s a dude ranch, right? So anyone can learn to ride, Jessica had said. Oh, look at those rooms. They are so cute. They each have a theme.

What about Duane and the kids? Maybe it’s something you could do as a family.

Jessica had looked up from her laptop screen. Yeah, right. I want to get away from them. Not bring them along.

I don’t know, Jessica, Emma said, shaking her head.

Don’t you want me with? Jessica asked, eyes narrowing.

Don’t be silly. That’s not it at all, Emma said.

That was exactly it but Emma did not want to hurt Jessica’s feelings. There was always drama when Jessica was involved. Emma did not want drama. Emma wanted to go work and relax in fresh mountain air. Emma wanted to leave her worries behind, not drag them with.

Now there they were landing at the Sandpoint airport, after a month of drama that stressed Emma so badly that she had come close to cancelling the trip more than once rather than have Jessica along. First Duane had flipped out at Jessica leaving for two weeks. He had no intention of being stuck with the kids for two weeks. Those were his words. Stuck with the kids. In the end, Jessica’s mom agreed to stay at the house and take care of the kids.

Then there was Duane’s angry tirade about Emma dragging his wife away on an expensive vacation. Somehow Emma found herself paying Jessica’s costs rather than telling Jessica’s husband that she had not only not twisted Jessica’s arm to come with, but had not even wanted Jessica along. Emma knew deep in her heart that having Jessica along was going to have a negative impact on her vacation. Her current goal was to minimize that impact.

Staring at Duane’s angry, red face, Emma had not said any of that. She would rather pay for Jessica’s trip than let him win. After listening to him rant about being stuck babysitting his own kids Emma decided a few weeks apart would do them both good. When a man referred to being responsible for his own kids as babysitting them Emma just cringed in pain. A dad could not babysit his own kids. Did anyone ever say a mom was babysitting her own kids? Of course not. So why would a man say he was babysitting his own kids?

The plane braked harder. It felt like they were hanging in the air. Emma chewed her gum even faster. She knew that they were not going to just drop out of the sky. It just felt that way at the moment.

You could meet some guy. Have some fun, Jessica said. Emma made a face. Jessica laughed. Lucas doesn’t count as a boyfriend. Give up on that man already. He gave up on you a long time ago.

It’s complicated, Emma said slowly. The floor still vibrated under her feet. Were the wheels stuck?

Tch. Complicated, Jessica muttered. He’s a jerk.

It’s not like that, Emma said in his defense. He just has some commitment issues. We’re not seeing each other right now anyway.

Right now? That means you hope to be again, Jessica said.

No. No, really. I realize that we aren’t meant to be together. It’s just that he needs me sometimes, Emma said. I care for him even though I know that he’s not right for me.

Needs you? For a booty call? Jessica asked, an edge to her voice.

No. He has some issues. That’s all, Emma said.

If it’s complicated it isn’t real, Jessica said. You deserve better than that jerk.

There was a loud thud and the plane noticeably descended. The stewardess pulled down her jump seat and strapped herself in calmly. Emma watched the stewardess. If the stewardess was calm then the extra effort for the wheels to come down must be normal.

Emma did not feel like arguing about Lucas. They had had the same conversation. Multiple times. It was complicated. Lucas just had commitment issues.

One day Lucas would wake up to how relationships should be and treat her well. Emma was confident about that part. She did not like how he treated her so they were not together but she had hopes that one day he would open his eyes and see that she had value. Then he would treat her well. It was complicated.

Emma had learned not to tell her friends or family her theory on that future because she always got the same reaction. There were the ones who nodded in sympathy and the ones who outright laughed in disbelief. Either way, everyone seemed to think that she was blind to some important factor in her relationship with Lucas. Gradually Emma began to realize that the way Lucas treated her was unhealthy and she had at least put him at arm’s length if not completely given up hope.

At least she thought she had. Talking to him earlier that day had stirred that unsettled feeling that maybe she had missed something. If only she had done this or that differently then Lucas would not always be pulling away from her emotionally. That was the problem, the man simply was not emotionally available. Maybe it was time to give up on the man. It would help if she would stop letting him invade her head. He invoked doubt.

The plane landed smoothly and they taxied up to the small airport. Emma guided her expensive Samsonite spinner carry-on toward the luggage claim area. The bag moved smoothly beside her like a well-trained dog at heel. It was the second time Emma had used the new luggage and appreciated every extra penny she had spent on the deliciously obedient suitcase. Jessica walked beside her, their high heeled shoes tapping a sharp staccato across the tiled floor.

Heads turned as the two women approached the conveyor belt in the luggage claim area. Emma did not notice, of course. Emma never noticed that heads turned for her as often as for Jessica. If Emma noticed that she attracted male attention, she shrugged it off as being overly dressed. Emma had been raised to dress well while traveling. The luggage claim area was filled with people dressed a lot more casually.

Lucas had pointed out to Emma that a tailored skirt and four inch heels attracted more attention than sweatpants and beat up runners. Trust Lucas to make sure that she understood that it was her clothes attracting male attention. One could never say that Lucas swelled her head with compliments or feelings of being attractive.

Out! Lucas needed to stay out of her head. Emma was determined to chase Lucas out of her head and enjoy her vacation. She vowed to not think about him again while in Idaho. Lucas would not enjoy such a vacation. They actually had little in common. Lucas would never go to a dude ranch with her, not even if they had a full workout room.

The conveyor belt bumped into motion and suitcases slid out between the swinging doors at the end of the conveyor belt. Emma’s purple Samsonite suitcase was the third bag out of the swinging doors. Emma pulled the purple suitcase off the conveyer belt with some effort but once it stood on its spinners it was easy to manage.

Jessica’s pink, hard-case suitcase approached. A gray-haired man glanced at the two women and pulled off the glaring pink suitcase, setting it next to Jessica with a brief, Here ya go, darlin’.

Why thank you, Jessica said to the man with a bright smile.

How do you do that? Jessica asked, watching the man collect his own bag and walk away.

Do what? Jessica asked, frowning at a scuff mark on her suitcase. Jessica licked her finger and rubbed the mark. It did not wipe away.

Emma shook her head in exasperation. Jessica did not even notice anything out of the ordinary with a stranger stepping up to help her. The woman took for granted all the male attention that she received. Get men to jump to help you, Emma said.

Jessica looked up from analyzing the new scuff mark. Men like to help. It’s what makes them happy. You go out of your way to avoid getting help.

I do not, Emma said.

You are so efficient all the time. You don’t give a man a chance to be a man, Jessica said.

Emma glared at her sister-in-law. I do not. Emma did not want to argue about it. She looked around them. There is supposed to be a driver but I don’t see anyone.

Emma could see from end to end of the airport from where she stood. The ranch was supposed to send a car and driver. No one stood around looking like a waiting driver. No one stood with her name or the ranch’s name on a piece of cardboard. Emma glanced back at the terminal’s exit.

The hairs on the back of her neck tingled. Emma felt him even before she saw him. She forgot about spinning suitcases. She forgot about Jessica next to her. She forgot about Lucas. She forgot that she was standing in an airport.

A tall man with a duffle back over his left shoulder walked toward the baggage claim area. Emma forgot about a driver. Emma forgot about any ranch. He was the most spectacular man that she had ever seen. Time slowed as he walked closer and closer. He was tall, but average tall. Though he seemed larger than life he was actually only about an inch or two over six feet.

He walked with a ground-eating stride that he made look effortless. Faded denim jeans accented long, lean, angular legs. Sandy blonde hair needed a trim from around his ears. Emma stared at his wide shoulders; strong, broad shoulders. His eyes held Emma’s gaze trapped. Lush black lashes framed his vibrant blue eyes. Perfectly shaped eyebrows arched over those vibrant blue eyes.

He was clean-shaven with a traveler’s five o’clock shadow dusting his strong jaw. Emma realized that she stood with her mouth hanging open and snapped it shut. Kind blue eyes met her startled gaze. He smiled slightly as he approached. If he noticed that Emma felt like she had been struck by lightning he did not show it.

Emma blinked. The man was still looking at her. The man was walking directly toward her. Emma had the sudden urge to bolt. It was bad enough that she had been caught staring like an insane stalker but he was coming right to her while she was devouring him with her gaze. Emma could not stop staring. He was amazingly handsome in a rugged, manly way.

Are you heading to the Fork Bar Ranch? the man asked Emma.

The deep timbre of his voice was like the most compelling music to her ears. Emma stared blankly at the man. He was talking to her. Emma was fairly certain that he was talking to her. Jessica nodded and the man looked over at the petite blonde.

Need help with that? he asked Jessica.

Jessica handed over her suitcase without a second’s hesitation. The man picked up the suitcase with his right hand and headed out of the airport. Jessica walked beside him. They were talking about something but Emma could not hear them. It was not just because of the buzzing in her ears. They were moving farther and farther away while she stood rooted to the spot feeling embarrassed that she had been staring so intently at the man, thinking that he was staring back at her and it was Jessica who had caught his attention.

Emma took a deep breath. Now some people would see a person who they found attractive and of interest and be excited at the prospect of the opportunity to get to know that person. Not Emma. Emma had a rare affliction that turned her brain off when she encountered a man who she found attractive. This man had shut down her brain with a crash.

Some horrible scratchy music started playing over the speakers overhead, breaking through her reverie. Emma looked around her. The luggage claim area was now empty of people except for a group of three people standing talking near the exit doors. The conveyer belt screeched as it rumbled to a halt.

There was a rental car counter. Emma decided she would rent a car. The woman behind the counter looked up when Emma leaned over the counter. Can I help you? the woman asked, frowning in puzzlement.

Do you have any rentals available? Emma asked.

Are you going out to Fork Bar Ranch? the woman asked.

Yes, Emma said.

Katherine said she had drivers for everyone. I can page him if you want, the woman said, reaching for a desk phone.

No. I think he went outside already, Emma said. Was that gorgeous man really their driver?

Okay, the woman said, staring up at Emma, uncertain where the discussion was going.

Okay then, Emma said.

Emma sighed and hurried after Jessica and the mystery man who came from inside the terminal but was mostly likely their driver, two fingers on each suitcase to guide them smoothly out the doors. Emma frowned. She stopped and looked to her left then to her right. People entering or exiting the airport had to swerve around her since she was blocking the way. There was no sign of any other driver. That was still no reason for Jessica to just go off with some man because he carried her suitcase.

The man was leaning against an over-sized pick-up in the first row of the parking lot. Jessica stood beside him, smiling up at him with her most charming, winsome smile. When he spotted Emma he straightened and faced her. Jessica frowned, looking at what he was looking at. When she spotted Emma she waved.

Wait! Wait, Emma called, struggling to catch up with them. The smoothly gliding spinners on tile did not cooperate so well