Merry Manager: River’s End Ranch Series #17 Read online

  Merry Manager

  River’s End Ranch Series #17

  Pamela Kelley

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Epilogue

  Sneak Peek-Santa’s Shopkeeper

  Also by Pamela Kelley

  Sneak Peek-Nashville Dreams

  Copyright © 2017 by Pamela M. Kelley

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law

  Merry Manager

  Wade Weston is a workaholic. He’s too busy working to think much about dating and the only person he’s interested in is off-limits anyway.

  Maddie Johnson is a widow with an eight-year-old daughter, Vivian. Her husband Tim died five years ago and Wade was the best man at their wedding. And Maddie works at the ranch running the spa and is a masseuse.

  She hasn’t really been ready to date anyone and the only one who even interests her a little is Wade, but for obvious reasons, that can’t happen.

  Created with Vellum

  Chapter 1

  “You’re more tense than usual. Rough day?” Maddie Johnson asked as she worked to loosen up one of the many knots in Wade Weston’s neck, back, and shoulders.

  Wade sighed. “No worse than usual. It has been crazy lately. Lots going on with all the Christmas events and holiday parties.”

  “It’s so special here at Christmas, though. Seems like it gets bigger every year,” Maddie said.

  “It does. We’re fully booked through New Year’s Day but the phones are still ringing off the hook with people wanting to make a reservation. And just before I came here, I got a call from our Old West town Santa that he’s not sure if he’ll make it in tomorrow. Says he feels like he’s coming down with something. Which means you might see me in a Santa suit.”

  Maddie laughed as she rubbed more lotion onto her palms and then worked it into his shoulders. The warmth of her hands felt wonderful and he slowly felt some of his tension dissipate. He always walked out of a session with Maddie feeling refreshed and calm. Maddie managed the spa and was the best masseuse they had on staff at River’s End Ranch. She was also a very good friend. He’d known Maddie, and her eight-year-old daughter Vivian for years.

  “But enough of my whining. How are you doing? How’s Vivian?”

  “She’s great.” Maddie’s voice softened when she spoke about her daughter and even though Wade couldn’t see it, he could tell by her tone that there was a smile on her face. “She announced this morning over breakfast that she and Sadie’s daughter, Violet, are officially best friends.”

  “Everyone needs a best friend.”

  “That’s true.”

  Wade thought he detected a hint of sadness in her reply. “How’s your day going so far?” he asked gently.

  Maddie sighed. “It’s fine. I’m still always a little sad on this date. It’s the five year anniversary of when Tim died. He was my best friend.”

  “I’m sorry. I know it must be hard. I still miss him, too. Wade had been Tim’s best man when he and Maddie got married.

  “I’m actually doing much better. It’s just when these dates roll around—birthdays, anniversaries, holidays—there’s always a little emptiness.”

  Maddie finished his back and shoulders and turned her attention to his feet. Something about the way she pushed and pulled and kneaded his feet seemed to relax him more than anything else. He always came close to drifting off to sleep by the time she finished massaging his feet.

  “Okay, you’re all set, Wade. I hope that helped,” Maddie said softly as she draped the crisp cotton sheet over his feet, signaling that their time together had come to an end.

  “That hour always goes by too fast,” Wade lamented.

  “I think that’s a compliment,” Maddie said with a laugh. “Although you did cancel our last two sessions. I was starting to worry a bit.”

  “I’m sorry. I hated to cancel. It’s just been so insane lately. It’s not always easy to get away.”

  Maddie nodded. “I know. But that’s all the more reason why it’s so important. It’s a really good stress reliever. Seems like it does you good.”

  Wade smiled. “Oh, it definitely does. I always look forward to coming in.” A little too much, if he was being honest with himself. Maddie gave a great massage, but he looked forward to seeing and talking to her as much as the massage itself. He’d been sorry to cancel the last few times and found himself missing their sessions.

  He had to keep reminding himself that Maddie was off-limits, though, for multiple reasons. He wasn’t convinced that she was ready to be with anyone else. Even though Tim was gone, it still felt sort of wrong, since they’d been such close friends. And, of course, Wade was also her boss, which turned a tempting idea into a really bad one.

  “Let’s book your next three appointments now, so you won’t have to think about it. It will just be on your calendar,” Maddie suggested.

  “Sounds good, set me up.”

  * * *

  While Wade was at the spa on his lunch break, his right hand assistant, Bernie, who was extremely efficient and capable, had put half a dozen sticky notes on his computer—all needing his urgent attention. She smiled when he walked in. “It’s been wild. Check your computer and let me know if you have any questions.”

  Lily, the resort’s event planner, shared the office with Bernie, and waved as he walked into his connecting office and sat down to get to work. He’d felt so relaxed when he left the spa, but now as he scrolled through his email and reviewed the sticky notes, he felt a tightness spread across his back and chest. There were so many urgent issues that he wasn’t sure what to tackle first.

  As general manager of the ranch, he oversaw all areas of the business. His five siblings all helped in their different areas of interest, but he was involved in everything and though he loved it, the workload lately was often overwhelming. Today’s issues were all urgent.

  The zoning commission had questions about a permit they needed to begin construction for the kids’ corral. There was a leak in the kitchen ceiling that was getting worse and needed immediate attention. The fish that was supposed to be delivered the next day for a holiday party wasn’t available due to some issues with the supplier.

  It was one thing after another and then the last one had him shaking his head, wondering what else could possible go wrong. The sick Santa he’d talked to earlier had already called and left a message that he wasn’t going to make it in for the rest of the week as he was certain he had strep throat, even though he hadn’t yet seen a doctor.

  Wade took a deep breath and pressed his hands against his temples to calm a sudden, pounding headache. His phone rang and he saw it was his mother. He debated answering it as there was no such thing as a five-minute call with his mother. But what if something was wrong?

  His parents were traveling the country in an RV and even though they were hundreds of miles away, they still managed to somehow know everything that was going on at the ranch and just about every time they called, it was with a new proje
ct. Wade didn’t have an ounce of energy left for anything new. But he didn’t want to put the conversation off either. Easier to deal with it and move on.

  “Hi, Mom. How’s it going?”

  “Hi honey! I’m so sorry that we won’t be with you all for Christmas this year, but the Blizzard couldn’t have picked a better place to need some repairs. The Florida sunshine is just lovely.”

  The running family joke was that his parents couldn’t get home because they were stuck in a blizzard—which was the name of their RV. It had been almost a year since they’d started their cross-country adventure. They were having a ball traveling all over the country but they were also newly retired and having a little bit of a hard time letting go. His mother’s recent projects that had needed his immediate attention included the new barn building for big catering parties and special events and the kids’ corral, for onsite daycare.

  “I have a new project I think you’re going to be really excited about….” His mother rambled on about her newest great idea while Wade stared at his stack of sticky notes and mentally prioritized what needed his attention first. When he hung up the phone, he worked his way through the list and once everything was taken care of, except finding a new replacement Santa, he stood up to get a cup of coffee and walked into the office that Bernie and Lily shared. Lily was on the phone and Bernie looked at him with concern as he leaned against the doorway and put one hand to his head. The headache was back and worse than before, and the tightness in his chest was so strong, it was hard to get a breath.

  “Wade, are you all right?”

  “I think so. I’ve just been having the strangest tightness across my chest. I’m sure it’s nothing.”

  He felt himself try to smile as everything went black and he could faintly hear Bernie’s panicked voice as his legs buckled.

  “Lily, call 911. Wade looks like he’s having a heart attack…”

  * * *

  Wade shifted in the narrow emergency room bed and tried not to pull off any of the many sensors that were stuck all over his body. Something dinged and then he felt the blood pressure cuff around his arm begin to tighten as it automatically ran a check. The small room was full of Westons. All of his siblings and his cousin Jess were crowded around his bed. His sister Kelsi, who was very pregnant, sat in a chair by his bedside and was entertaining the others with stories of recent customers at the cafe.

  Wade, meanwhile, was starting to feel a bit foolish. He didn't know what had caused him to faint in the office, but ever since he'd come to, during the ambulance ride to the hospital, he'd felt fine. Like it was all a big mistake. He certainly didn't feel sick.

  Everyone looked up when the doctor entered the room and smiled.

  "All of your results are in—EKG, chest X-Ray and two rounds of blood work. The good news is that everything looks normal. We check the blood twice as sometimes the enzyme that indicates a cardiac event happened doesn't always show up the first time. The only thing left to do is a stress test, but I'm fairly confident you'll pass that, too." David Summers, the ER doctor, graduated a year ahead of Wade and they knew each other from playing high school hockey together.

  "So, what's wrong with Wade, then?" Dani asked.

  "The chest tightness, headaches, and even the blacking out are all indications of a panic attack."

  "A panic attack?" Dani sounded doubtful and Wade felt the same. How could he have a panic attack?

  "Wade doesn't panic. He's the most in-control person I know. He manages all of River's End Ranch," Kelsi added.

  David addressed Wade directly. "Have you been feeling more stressed than usual lately?"

  Wade laughed. "You could say that."

  "Panic attacks are common in people who normally seem to have it all together, who others even consider Type A individuals. But as that stress builds and you internalize it, it can manifest like this, as a panic attack."

  "So, how do we make sure this doesn't happen again?" Dani gave Wade's shoulder a squeeze.

  "Find a way to reduce your stress. Exercise helps, and massage. But more than anything else, I'd suggest either taking some time off or delegating some of your workload. Or both."

  Wade felt a headache start just thinking about all he had to do the next day.

  "I can help," Dani said. "I'll come by the office tomorrow morning and we can work out a plan for me to take on some of your projects so you can take a break."

  The headache receded and Wade smiled at his sister gratefully. "I'd appreciate that. Thank you. It should only be for a week or so."

  "We'll see about that."

  "We'll do the stress test first thing in the morning, and then you can be on your way," the doctor said. He said goodbye to everyone and then turned back. "You should think about coming again to the men's hockey league. It's grown a lot since you last played with us. Great way to blow off some steam."

  "Thanks, maybe I will do that." A few years back, Wade played with the evening league a few times and it was fun. He wasn't sure why he'd stopped. Just busy with work. He'd always loved playing, though. It might be fun to pick that up again.

  "I think that's a great idea," Dani said. "You work too much. I've been telling you that for a long time."

  "I know."

  Everyone filed out, relieved that there was nothing seriously wrong, except for Dani.

  "I'm on my way, too. Just wanted to enjoy the quiet with you for a moment."

  "Thanks. I'm sorry for all the fuss," he apologized.

  Dani scowled at him. "Don't be ridiculous. This was a wake-up call for you. I love you, but you do this, you know. You take too much on."

  Wade opened his mouth to speak and got the hand from Dani. "Yes, I know it's because you love it and we all love that about you. But you need to find some balance." She looked at him thoughtfully and was quiet for a moment before saying, "I think you should delegate more to Bernie, let her take over some of your smaller projects, under your guidance."

  The suggestion took him by surprise. "Bernie's a great assistant. I think I keep her pretty busy."

  But Dani shook her head at him. "I don't mean with admin stuff, taking messages for you and scheduling. I mean real involvement. I saw her resume when you first hired her. She has a degree in hospitality. This could be an opportunity for both of you."

  Wade mulled that over. He relied on Bernie. She was always one step ahead of him, anticipating what he needed, but always in an administrative capacity. He hadn't given her anything she could really sink her teeth into. And he realized he hadn't trusted her and that wasn't fair. She deserved a chance to do more.

  "You're right. She's spoiled me I think and it didn't occur to me to get her more involved."

  Dani grinned. "Good, that's an easy fix, then. The three of us will sit down tomorrow morning and discuss."

  "Thank you." He loved all his siblings, but he and Dani had a special connection and she'd always been a great sounding board.

  Dani stood up. "I'll see you in the morning. Try and get a good night's sleep."

  Chapter 2

  “Macaroni and cheese or hot dogs?" Maddie asked as she surveyed the contents of her refrigerator and cupboards. Tomorrow was grocery shopping day and she would get more healthy food then. She wasn't a fan of hot dogs or the bright orange pasta in the box, but Vivian loved both and was a very picky eater—although she'd finally found a way to make chicken strips that she liked. Maddie drew the line at buying chicken nuggets. But, she was out of chicken until tomorrow.

  "Can we have both? I'm really hungry."

  Maddie laughed. "Sure, why not." She set about making the pasta and cooking hot dogs on the grill. Once everything was ready, the two of them sat down at the kitchen table to eat.

  "So, how was your day? Tell me all about it," Maddie asked her eight-year-old daughter. Vivian was in the second grade and loved school.

  "It was good. Violet and I went to visit the lady with the bunnies this afternoon. She gave us cinnamon cookies. Snicker something she ca
lled them."

  "Snickerdoodles. You visited Jaclyn? How is she?" Jaclyn Hardy was an older woman who managed the RV park and had lived on the ranch forever, it seemed. She had a yard full of gnomes and rabbits, many of them pets. She came into the spa every few months for a massage and always asked for Maddie.

  "She's really nice. She said to tell you to stop in and see her one of these days. She wants to talk to you. She said she'll make you tea and there's always cookies."

  Maddie smiled. "I'll try and do that soon." She was long overdue to visit Jaclyn. Her days were so busy, though. The weeks and months seemed to fly by. By the time she got home from work and made dinner for Vivian, she was usually exhausted. She loved her work, but massaging people all day was physically draining.

  "So, I told Violet she can come with us to the stroll this year. She can, right?" Vivian asked.

  "Of course. I'll talk to Sadie about it tomorrow. Maybe she can join us, too, if she's not working." Violet's mother, Sadie, ran the Saloon in the Old West town at the ranch She served the best coffee around, all kinds of flavors, but the main draw was her homemade ice-cream.

  "I think she is working. That's why Violet can only go if she comes with us."

  Maddie nodded. She wasn't surprised. During the Christmas stroll, all the shops were open and it was a booming night for business as people strolled from one store to the next. Many gave out free hot cider and cookies or samples of food that they sold at their stores. And there was a window decorating contest that the children judged, so everyone got excited about it and each shop did a great job. Maddie loved how it was so festive, and always got her feeling all warm and fuzzy and filled with Christmas spirit.

  The holidays still were a challenging time for her. Tim had died ten days before Christmas and the first few years were especially dark and empty. It always helped to see the holiday though Vivian's eyes—to experience the innocence and wonder that always warmed her soul. Each year was a bit less empty than the one before, but there was still some sadness. She never gave into it, though, and always focused on making it a special time for Vivian.