The Cowboy’s Unshakeable Love - MacFarland Ranch Book 8 (ebook)

Book Eight in the MacFarland Ranch series, The Cowboy’s Unshakeable Love, is Travis and Retta’s love story.

Travis left Montana years ago, along with Cash and Mav MacFarland and a bunch of their friends. After serving in the Navy together, he stuck with Cash and Mav when they set up their own private security company.

His last few visits back to Paradise Valley have made him wonder if it’s time to come home. He’s the life-and-soul-of-the-party kind of guy and ever since he first met Retta, he can’t help but think that he might be ready to turn his life into a private party for two.

Retta Rayne lives with a lot of regrets. She couldn’t be prouder of her daughter, Callie, but she wishes that she’d been able to give her a better childhood. As far as Retta’s concerned, Callie’s successful in spite of her – even though Callie says it’s because of her.

All that matters is that Callie’s built a great life. Yes, she’s made a name for herself as one of country music’s biggest names, but more importantly, she’s found a good man in Kolby MacFarland. He’s made her part of his family and given her the kind of love Retta always wanted for her.

Although Retta’s happy that her daughter’s found love, she’s under no illusions that she might do the same – she gave up on that idea years ago. Sure, Travis Duke – one of Kolby’s brother’s friends - is charming, and sexy, and funny and … everything she ever used to want in a man. But her days of wanting a man are in the past.

She had her chances, and she messed them up. Now that her daughter is happy and settled, Retta’s content to live out a quiet little life alone.

Travis has other ideas for her, though, and there is nothing quiet - or little - about that man!

Chapter One


Retta set her book down on her lap and stared up at the mountains. She couldn’t focus on the story she was trying to read. She couldn’t focus on anything except what in heaven’s name she was going to do.

Callie popped her head out the kitchen door to the porch where Retta was sitting and called, “Are you okay? Can I get you anything?”

“I’m fine, baby girl.”

Callie came outside. “You never were a good liar, Mama.”

Retta shrugged. “It’s a not a lie.”

“If you were fine, you wouldn’t look so miserable.”

“I’m not miserable. How could I be miserable while I’m here visiting with you? While I get to sit outside your beautiful home with this amazing view to look at?”

Callie came and sat in one of the big log chairs across the table from her. “You’re allowed to be miserable.” She jerked her chin toward Retta’s leg that was propped up in front of her. “Just because you’re here with me and the view’s beautiful, that doesn’t change the fact that your leg’s broken and you’re stuck in that cast. You have to be in pain, you can’t go anywhere or do much of anything and …” Callie met her gaze. “I know you’d rather be at home anyway.”

Retta reached for her daughter’s hand. “Don’t say it like that. It’s not that I don’t want to be around you – I do! I just … I don’t like to …”

Callie shook her head. “I wish you’d get over that. You couldn’t hold me back or let me down if you tried.”

Retta shrugged again. “You know how I feel.”

“I do, and while you’re here, I’m going to do everything I can to make you feel different. I kept quiet for the longest time, but I’m not going to do it anymore, Mama. I know you feel like you let me down, but you didn’t. You did the best you could – and I think I turned out okay.”

“You turned out amazing, but we both know that was in spite of me – not because of me.”

Callie scowled at her. “Not true. But I don’t want to waste a beautiful afternoon like this arguing with you.”

Retta smiled. “Good, that’s not what I want either. You get on with your day, and I’ll read.”

“Oh, no! That’s not going to fly. You said that this morning, and you’re not reading, you’re sitting out here feeling bad, and if I know you, you’re scheming up ways to go home.”

Retta didn’t deny it. She loved that Callie wanted her here while she was healing – the doctors had said there was no way that she could go home alone for at least a few weeks. It’d be hard to cope in the house by herself, and she knew it, but she still intended to get herself back to Georgia just as soon as she could.

Callie looked up and smiled at the sound of a vehicle approaching. Retta followed her gaze, and her heart started to pound when she saw the big, white pickup truck.

“Travis called a little while ago,” Callie told her. “And since you’re not reading, and I have work to do, I asked him if he could entertain you for the afternoon.”

“Callie!”

“What?” Callie feigned innocence.

“You know full well what I mean, young lady!”

Callie laughed. “You can’t scare me with your young lady talk. At least, not about this. He calls every day to ask how you’re doing. If I left you to your own devices, you’d never invite him over.”

Retta shot a glance at the truck that had now almost reached the house. Travis Duke was … she didn’t even know how to describe him. Yeah, she did; he was a big, sexy cowboy. He stood well over six feet tall, with a full gray beard. His arms were covered in tattoos. He was always joking around. He made no secret of the fact that he found her attractive and … She watched him climb out of his truck and tip his hat as he jogged up the porch steps.

He grinned at her and said, “Afternoon, ladies.”

“Hey, Trav.” Callie got to her feet, and Travis leaned down to kiss her cheek.

Retta couldn’t stand up if she wanted to – not without help. The cast on her leg made her feel like she was trapped. She couldn’t get up to greet him, or to run away. All she could do was hold her breath as he bent down to kiss her cheek.

“Retta.”

She closed her eyes and allowed herself to breathe him in – he smelled so good. And there was something about him – it was as though he had his own magnetic field, and the closer he got, the stronger the pull, until she felt like she was enveloped by his presence. Instead of making her want to retreat into her own space, he made her want to settle in and relax.

He straightened up just enough to meet her gaze. He had the kindest eyes, and they always seemed to twinkle with mischief.

“I hear you’re tired of being held hostage, so I’ve come to break you out. What do you say – want to spend the afternoon with me?”

She stared at him. She hadn’t left Callie and Kolby’s house since she arrived last week. Callie hovered over her most of the time, and Kolby wasn’t much better.

Travis winked at her. “It’s not a trick question, darlin’. I promised your daughter that I’d take good care of you.”

“I … What? … Where?”

He chuckled. “Yes, you. The what is a drive around, if you want to go. Just for a change of scenery. The where is around the valley – and if you want to come and see how my new place is coming along, I’ll take you over there.” He grinned. “I already assured Callie that there are plenty of chaperones around. Ty’s in the restaurant. Libby and Shay are over there checking out the barn, and Trip’s going to stop by later.”

She met his gaze, and her heart skittered in her chest when he smiled. “I’ll help you get around. You don’t need to worry.”

She looked at the cast on her leg. Callie was the one who worried about her.

“Mama?”

It was only when Callie spoke that Retta realized she hadn’t answered yet, she’d been too busy trying to take in this new development. She’d wanted to get out and about, but she hadn’t expected Travis to …

He chuckled. “Don’t tell me I’ve struck you speechless?”

She gave him a wry smile. “Sorry, it took me a moment. Yes, please. I would love for you to spring me from here for a while.”

Callie laughed. “You make it sound like I’m holding you prisoner.”

“Aww, you know I appreciate this, Callie, but …”

“But it feels like I am holding you prisoner, right?”

“It’s not your fault, baby girl. It’s just the situation.”

“And I’m here to set the situation straight – at least for this afternoon,” said Travis. “Do you need to do anything before we go?”

“I don’t think so. I’ll need to get my purse and … My crutches.”

“Oh, no,” said Callie. “You’re going in the wheelchair, or you’re not going.”

She scowled at her daughter, but Callie put her hands on her hips.

“That’s just how it is, Mama.”

Retta looked at Travis, but he held his hands up and shrugged. “I’m not going to argue with her.” He grinned. “I’ll go along with whatever she says, just so we can get you out of here.”

Retta couldn’t help smiling at that. “Okay, but can we …?”

Callie laughed. “No, you can’t take your crutches with you as well, because I know that you won’t use the wheelchair if you do. And it wouldn’t be fair to ask Travis to cover for you, would it? So, what’s it going to be? Go in the wheelchair or stay here?”

She huffed out an indignant sigh and muttered, “Wheelchair, but once I’m back on my feet, young lady…”

Callie laughed. “I know, once you’re back on your feet, I’ll be in trouble, but for now, I’m in charge. I’ll go get your purse and the chair.”

All Retta could do was sit and watch while Callie helped Travis load the wheelchair into his truck. She might not be thrilled about having to use it, but it was a small price to pay for an afternoon out. A shiver ran down her spine – an afternoon with Travis!

She smiled when he trotted back up the steps toward her and asked, “You ready?”

“I am.” She braced her hands on the arms of the chair, but then paused and looked around. “I’m going to need the crutches to …” All her breath caught in her chest when Travis took a step closer, a small smile playing on his lips.

“Have you gotten the hang of going down steps with those things yet?”

“No, but …”

He came a step closer and held his arms out. “Then what do you say – want me to carry you? It’ll be quicker, and easier …” He winked. “And more enjoyable – for me, anyway.”

She pressed her lips together in an attempt to hide her smile. He made no secret of the fact that he found her attractive, and she couldn’t deny that it did wonders for her ego. She’d say that it warmed her heart, but her heart had been in the deep freezer for so long that she doubted even Travis would be able to thaw it.

Callie misunderstood her silence and said, “You might as well, Mama. These porch steps aren’t going to be easy.”

Travis raised his eyebrows when she looked up at him. “Just say the word, darlin’.”

“Okay.”

He stepped forward and scooped her up as though she weighed nothing. She wasn’t heavy, but the cast added to the weight – and made things more difficult. Travis made it look as easy as if he were lifting a small child. She closed her eyes at the feeling of his arms around her, between that and the way he held her against his broad, muscular chest, this was the closest she’d been to a male body in years – decades!

His eyes twinkled as they looked down into hers. “You comfortable?”

She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She felt far too comfortable with him, and she shouldn’t admit that to herself, let alone to him.

~ ~ ~

Travis slid her onto the passenger seat of his truck and felt the loss of her in his arms the second he stood back. He wasn’t used to having a woman affect him the way Retta did, but he liked it. He liked it a whole lot. He liked everything about her – he had from the very first time he saw her.

The first time he laid eyes on her was on the tiny screen of Callie’s phone when the two of them were talking on a video call. He’d thought that Retta must be Callie’s sister – not her mom. She was beautiful. She had shoulder-length blonde hair, and a warm smile. She was skittish – he didn’t know if that was only around him – but he wasn’t going to let it stand in his way. She lived in Georgia, but he’d managed to engineer a few visits with her over the last year. He’d kept trying to figure out how he might get to spend some time with her, and now she was here.

The timing couldn’t be better – she’d come to stay with Callie just when he’d finally decided that it was time to come home. He’d moved away when he joined the Navy as a youngster, and he hadn’t had a home here in the valley since then. He didn’t like to think of himself as getting old – he wasn’t. But he hadn’t lived in the valley for more than thirty years – and when you put it like that, it made him sound old.

He grinned when he realized that he was still leaning over Retta, and she was giving him a puzzled smile.

“You comfortable?” he asked. “We can sit you in the back with your feet up if that’d be better.”

“No! I’m good right here. This is the first time I’ve felt like I’m doing something normal since I arrived. Don’t take it away from me.”

He chuckled. “Alright then, darlin.” He stepped back and turned to Callie, who was hovering.

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”

Retta laughed. “I am. I’m not so sure about you, though. Are you going to be okay? You don’t need to fret about me, but I know you will.”

Callie rolled her eyes. “I can’t help it.”

“I knew this day would come, but I thought I’d be a lot older before it did.”

“What do you mean?”

Retta chuckled. “The roles are finally reversed. Instead of me worrying about you, you’re worrying about me.”

“I …”

Travis put his hand on Callie’s shoulder. “I know it won’t do any good for me to tell you to stop worrying, but I promise you she’s safe with me.”

“I know. Sorry.” Callie gave them a rueful smile. “I’ll just leave you to it, but … But nothing. I’ll shut up and let you go.” She laughed. “You kids have fun now, you hear?”

Travis chuckled. “We will.”

Callie had disappeared back inside the house by the time he climbed into the driver’s seat.

“You okay?” he asked Retta.

“I will be – just as soon as you get me out of here.”

He laughed. “Your wish is my command.”

She glanced over at him. “If that’s true, you can take me to the airport.”

His smile faded. “Not happening, darlin’. I sprung you from your daughter’s place so that you can spend more time with me – not so that you can fly away from me.”

He glanced over at her. The flush on her cheeks made him smile. “You’re not dead set against the idea of spending more time with me, are you?”

He could feel her gaze on him as she said, “No. I should be, but I’m not.”

“Well, alrighty then. I’m not even going to worry about why you think you should be, I’m just going to work with what you’re giving me.” He shot her a quick smile. “And work on how to persuade you to give me more.”

Her eyes widened, and a jolt of desire shot through his veins. He hadn’t meant anything sexual – but it looked like she’d taken his words that way – and she didn’t seem horrified.

He slowed when he saw Emmett’s truck turning into the driveway off the road. When the trucks drew level, he put his window down, and Emmett did the same.

“Hey, Trav. What are you doing out here? Oh, hey, Retta. I didn’t see you there. How are you?”

“Better for finally getting out of the house,” she said with a smile.

Emmett grinned at them. “I won’t keep you then. It’s good to see you.”

“You too,” Travis told him. “I’ll give you a call later. You need to come and see the new place.”

“You do that. I’d like to take a look around.” Emmett smiled. “It’s good to have you home, bud.”

“It’s good to be here.”

Emmett touched the brim of his hat and nodded at Retta before pulling away.

When Travis turned out onto the road, Retta asked. “Does he live on the ranch, too?”

“No. His place is just next door.”

“And he’s one of the whole group of you who went away and joined the Navy together?”

“He is. But he got out before the rest of us. He was married, and his dream was always to be a vet – a veterinarian, not just a veteran.”

“I don’t think you can ever say just a veteran, can you?”

“I guess not. What do you say, do you want to go for a bit of a joy ride before I show you my new place – if you even want to see it?”

“Please. I love it here – the valley’s so beautiful. Of course, I want to see your new place – and I’m interested to hear about your plans for it, but I like the idea of being out and about for a while, too.”

“I figured you would. If you like, we can go down to Gardiner – that’s the little town at the entrance to the park. It’ll take about half an hour to get there. If you want to get out and poke around, we can do that.” He chuckled. “Since we have your wheelchair.”

“Thank you. I’d love to take a look around. It’s like a little tourist town, isn’t it?”

“It is.” He glanced over at her. “Does this mean that I’m going to be wheeling you in and out of souvenir stores?”

She laughed, and he loved seeing her start to relax. “That depends.”

“On what?”

“On whether souvenir shopping is your worst nightmare. If it is, I’ll just grab a few postcards and call it good.”

“Nah, I don’t mind it. If it makes you happy, I’ll wheel you in and out of every store in town.”

When she didn’t answer, he looked over at her again.

“Why?”

“Because I like seeing you happy, and it doesn’t seem to happen all that often.” There, he’d said it, now he’d just have to see how she reacted.

She didn’t say anything for a good few minutes, but he knew that she wanted to. He waited.

“I do okay,” she said eventually.

“Yeah but, darlin’, you could be doing so much better than okay.”

He felt her gaze on him but kept his attention on the road.

“What do you mean?”

He shot her a quick smile. “You feel like you’re cooped up at Callie’s place while you recover, but it seems to me that you keep yourself cooped up in your life in Georgia – when you know that she’d love it if you moved out here to be closer to her.”

He wondered if he’d pushed too far when she turned away and stared out the window. After a while she turned back to him.

“You don’t get it, Travis. Of course I’d love to be closer to her, but I made myself a promise. Life was … hard when she was a kid. Her dad walked out on us, and I didn’t have anyone else. No family – they disowned me when I married him. We were only kids. We both dropped out of high school when I got pregnant. He wanted to do the right thing by me, and he tried for a while but … but that’s not the point.

“What matters is that Callie had it tough growing up. I didn’t give her much of a life. I did my best, but it wasn’t good enough. When she moved to Nashville, I knew she was going to make something of her life – and she has. All she needed was to get out on her own and she was always going to be a success.”

She sighed. “As soon as I wasn’t around to hold her down, she made it big. I promised myself that I’d keep it that way. I love that girl with all my heart, and the best I can do for her is let her be, to live her life.”

Travis shook his head sadly. “I know it’s not my place to say – but I won’t let that stop me. I reckon the best thing you could do for her is move here – be part of her life, that’s what she wants. And whatever things were like when she was a kid, you couldn’t hold her back now if you tried. And I know damn well that you’d never try. At the risk of making you mad at me, I think you’ve got it all screwed up in your head, darlin’. You didn’t do anything wrong – you set her on the path to the life she has now. You couldn’t walk her down that path as far as you would’ve liked, but you sure as hell didn’t hold her back.”

This time, he didn’t expect her to answer, but he was glad that she looked thoughtful as she turned to stare out the window again.