Imprisoned In A Cowboy's Heart (Two-Five Ranch Outlaws Book 1)

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

He wouldn’t make eye contact and gazed everywhere but at her. “Sedona. I know you’ve never been there unless that’s changed. Maybe you and Max went there the other day? I know you prefer driving the other route to get here.”

  Karis rolled her eyes over the Max thing. What was happening here? She wouldn’t delay finding out. “No. You’re right. I’d be happy to go along. You know I take the other way to visit my aunt and cousins.”

  “We’ll leave around three o’clock. Maybe get an early dinner in Flagstaff on the way.”

  “I’d love to see Sedona. Catch you later.” Okay, heart, start beating again. Karis rushed to the door a little suspicious but curious to understand why. Before exiting, she muttered, “Thanks for asking.”

  He shrugged. “No big deal.”

  His invite was a huge deal to her. She left with a smile but couldn’t allow herself to think this meant something. It did though. He’d mellowed and never would’ve asked if he… No, with Tanyon lately, she had to take one minute at a time.

  ∞∞∞

  He pulled up in his circle drive around the front entrance with his best truck. Karis moved away from the door in the foyer as he came up the steps. She played with her phone to look busy.

  “Hey there. Ready?”

  Ronni walked through the house toward the kitchen at the same time and must’ve heard what Tanyon had said. She smiled at Karis.

  She returned the smile. Karis stuck her phone into the pocket of her dark Levi’s. Unsure of what Ronni might say, she headed toward the door to leave. They were going to a ranch so she wore her boots and a teal blue, long-sleeve, casual top, but it was nice enough for dinner.

  Tanyon wore dark jeans, his beat-up boots, and a dark-blue western shirt with yellow pinstripes. He’d rolled up the cuffs. No long hair stuck out the back and sides of his black hat. His face had stubble, not a full beard. Red eyes spoke of tiredness or dust from the trail. She gulped. In times past, this would’ve been a normal thing, but then he’d be picking her up at the little cabin she’d shared with the others.

  He held the door. Karis went out ahead of him then got in the truck, eyeing him walk around the front. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. Sitting here with him for these hours of coming and going would either ignite the fire or freeze up the windows. Sedona had been known for spiritual healing. The good Lord knew hers could use some help. “Are you looking for a cow horse?”

  “Nope, not this time.” They hooked their seat belts. Tanyon drove out and down the road to the state highway then headed toward Flagstaff.

  The ride was quiet and emotionally uncomfortable. She wanted an answer as to why he did this, but maybe she didn’t want the truth. He had her cornered now. She couldn’t escape. Neither could he. By the time they got close to Flagstaff, she had to ask. If he wanted to turn around, it might as well be now. “What’s up with taking me along?”

  “I need a cup of coffee. Let’s eat now.” He pulled into a restaurant parking lot. Before turning off the engine, he asked her if this place worked.

  Why’s he being so nice. They’d been here before. “It’s perfect. You’re not the only one wanting coffee. I’ve barely slept since I’ve been here.”

  “I’ve barely slept since you’ve been here,” he added sardonically.

  Karis unhooked her seat belt, grabbed her purse, and hopped out, continuing ahead of him. How should she take his statement? She took a detour into the bathroom to breathe. It didn’t look like a rekindling would happen tonight.

  He’d waited for her before going to their booth. On the jaunt across the dining room, he placed his hand on her shoulder…like old times. Neither wanted an appetizer so she drank coffee while perusing the menu. The server came to take their order, asking Karis first. She pointed to the smaller portion, “I’ll have broiled chicken with butter herb sauce and broccoli.”

  Tanyon chose prime rib with steak fries. He ordered them both a glass of wine. Malbec from Argentina for himself and pinot grigio from Italy for her. He’d remembered what she liked. This added to her guilt trip. However, it was a little early for wine.

  “Karis, I raise beef and you order chicken?” He grinned. A sensational, genuine grin.

  “I went home last time with eight extra pounds. That’s not happening again.”

  He folded his arms on the table and gave an engaging smile. “Don’t blame my beef.”

  She couldn’t keep her mouth from quirking upward. “I’m not.”

  “How’d the ride go today? Any mishaps?” He moved his coffee aside and took a drink of wine. “Remind me to order coffee to go.”

  “Rambling Joe stumbled, scaring the rider and me to death. The rider stayed on though.”

  “It isn’t the first time, either. I’ll have the vet come out to take a look. Good thing we’re going to look at another trail horse. We might have to retire good old Rambling Joe and let the kids ride him in the ring.”

  “He’s a nice horse. Tanyon, why are we doing this?” Could she have slipped the latter in any more casually?

  “Do you want me to take you back home or will you keep complaining?”

  “What do you think, smartass? Don’t talk to me like I’m a child.”

  Tanyon laughed. It gave her a thrill to see him laugh again though in this case it might’ve been at her. “Why wouldn’t I be curious?”

  Again, he wouldn’t look at her as he spoke. “It’s something I wanted to do, okay? Don’t give me the third-degree on this. I’m still figuring it out.”

  Figuring it out. This gave her encouragement. She laid her hand over his forearm. “I’m not complaining. I’m enjoying each minute and hoping for more.”

  He glimpsed her hand. “Is more what you want?”

  The server delivered their salads. They sat quiet, leaning away from the table until the dishes had been set down.

  Yes, it’s what she wanted. His beautiful eyes connected with hers. “You’re the main reason I came back.”

  He nodded and proceeded to eat. Nothing else? Her stomach had twisted into knots since they’d pulled out of the circle drive. She picked up her fork and forced herself to eat.

  ∞∞∞

  On their way again, she leaned to the left then to the right on the twisty road.

  Tanyon nudged her arm. “You have a death grip on the console. What’s the matter with you?”

  She placed her other hand against her chest. “I don’t know. You’re a little close to the edge. Your rock music doesn’t help my nerves.”

  “I can get closer.”

  “No, don’t.”

  “All you have to do is sit there. I’m the one driving. Is it a bad time to mention a front-end vibration? Can ya feel it?” He turned down the volume on the radio.

  She blew out a breath. “That can’t be good.”

  “I need to get it checked. If it’s a wheel-bearing, the tire could fall off.”

  “No!”

  He laughed.

  “You’re trying to spook me, aren’t you?”

  “Uh-uh, not me.”

  They continued without him changing his driving pattern of riding the edge. Thinking back to the day after she’d arrived, him suggesting she ran back to her ex, bothered her. “Did you think even for one minute I’d go back to my old boyfriend after what you and I had?”

  “Forget it. Well, maybe for a time or two when looking for a reason.”

  “You’re a strong man physically and emotionally. I never expected you to understand how losing Rory had weakened me.”

  He said softly, “I do now.” Tanyon pointed forward. “All I have to say is don’t look away because you’ll like what’s coming up.”

  Keeping her gaze ahead caused her to smile. He was right. “The scenery is spectacular here. I love nature.”

  “Are you calmed down now?”

  Karis gripped her seat belt with one hand and the console with the other. “Sure.” No.

  “This is the reason you drive the other way?”

  She hadn’t cal
med down, dammit. “No comment.” Okay, visiting her aunt along the other route was one reason. Before long they ended up in town, drove through, continuing to…she had no idea where. Sedona the town, wasn’t what she’d expected. Better. “I wanna live here. I bet there isn’t a bad place to stay in Sedona. It’s beautiful wherever you look.”

  “You can live anywhere you want.”

  Not true. She had a clinic in Phoenix to run. Tanyon’s demeanor had remained calm through this venture. What lay ahead? Could this little jaunt send them back in the right direction or get them lost forever? Now she had to pee. “You didn’t bring me out here to bury me, did you?”

  “If you thought so you wouldn’t have come. Better charge your phone. You’ll want to take pictures at the ranch in Red Rock Country. The ranch does trail rides, boarding, stuff like that. If I wasn’t here on business, we’d do a trail ride for some great shots and sights.”

  She’d love to suggest another trip here, but why push it? Annette and Geri probably wouldn’t mind coming though on a day off. They pulled in at the humongous ranch. She took in much of the lovely landscape in one glance. “This guy’s damn lucky to live here. How much money does a person have to make to live in this heavenly place?”

  “This should be a good horse. She’s a quarter horse trained to trail ride. They say she has a gentle stride. She doesn’t spook.”

  “How do you plan on getting her home?”

  He parked, positioned his body half sideways, and stretched his arm over the back of the seat. “You finally noticed I didn’t bring a trailer? Maybe I’ll ask you to kindly ride her back.”

  Karis rolled her eyes.

  “All the trailers at home are tied up today. If I want her, I’ll buy her now and pick her up another day. You don’t let an opportunity like this pass by. I’d like to ride her first.”

  The rancher came up to them when they got out. Tanyon introduced him to Karis. They followed Bob over to the mare. He pointed along the way. “That’s her dam you see out there in the second corral. She’s a sweetie too. Here’s our Joanie Girl. Git on her and give her a go.”

  Tanyon nodded to Karis. “Go ahead. See what you think.”

  “Me?” Me?

  “Yeah, check her out. You know the horses at the ranch. See what you think of her.”

  Karis spoke to Joanie and gave her a pat before mounting. She trotted a circle around the corral a few times to get the feel of her. The rancher had two other saddled horses brought up to the gate. Bob halted Karis when she came around. Tanyon looked up at her, the sun striking his narrowed sexy gaze. Her heart sped up at the thought of him looking at her like he used to—like he did now.

  “Bob’s taking us out on the immediate trail on his property. Come on.”

  She attempted to get down. “You ride her so you know if she’s what you want.”

  “You tell me if I want her.” He put his hand on her body to stop her from getting off then strode away to mount the other horse, and they trailed out behind the rancher. This could be more fun than she’d expected. They sped up to a gallop a few minutes later. Karis couldn’t get enough of the stunning view of stately red rocks and clear blue sky, and that included Tanyon in an easy gallop appearing as comfortable as he and the horse could be. She’d rather be taking pictures than making this important decision for him. What in the hell was he up to or trying to say without saying it?

  They moseyed back to the corral, walking now to cool down the horses. While Tanyon and Bob untacked theirs, she removed the saddle and bridle from the mare. “Good girl.”

  A ranch hand came to take the other two horses while Tanyon checked over the mare. Bob left them alone for a moment. “What do you think, Karis?”

  “If you don’t want her I do. She’s great, and Bob is right. She does have a gentle lope.” Karis ran her hand over Joanie’s neck and patted her. “She’s beautiful. I love black horses.”

  “All right. I’ll come back to get her.” He removed a checkbook from his back pocket and swaggered over to the rancher to probably go over health records unless he’d done that on the phone, or to ask basic questions.

  That quick, he’d bought a new horse. Karis left the corral and moved toward the truck, taking photos along the way. If these turned out, she’d have new pictures of crimson panoramas hanging on her walls.

  Tanyon finished up his business and they got in the hot truck. “Bob gave me the name of a garage to get my truck looked at.”

  “It’s too late, isn’t it?”

  “Not if we get our ass on the road now. They’re closed, but the head mechanic is hanging around to check it out.” He drove away from the ranch to who knows where. She sat back and enjoyed the Sedona landscape a second time down the same road in the opposite direction.

  ∞∞∞

  A guy came out of the garage to meet them, directing Tanyon to pull in. Karis used their bathroom then bought them a bottle of cold water. She took a seat in the simple waiting room to view the landscape out the plate glass window. He had stayed in the garage with the mechanic. So far, their time spent together on this trip went well. He returned in twenty minutes.

  “It’s too damn bad to drive home on. Paul can’t replace it tonight. Tomorrow’s iffy.”

  She handed him the other bottle of water. “Oh, wow. Now what’s the plan?”

  “We’ll have to get a room tonight. Rooms.”

  Karis half-shrugged. She couldn’t say she minded waking up in Sedona. “Shall I look for a hotel online?”

  “Paul gave me a recommendation not too far from here with a place to eat. In fact, it’s out near Bob’s ranch. We drove past it, I guess. I called and got two rooms. Hope that’s okay.”

  She nodded. There was no other choice, but how would they get there and back to this shop?

  “Paul will give us a lift. It’s on his way home. He’ll send a guy to pick us up when the truck’s finished.” Tanyon smirked. “Good thing I don’t have my horse trailer, eh?”

  “Too bad we don’t have a change of clothes, eh?”

  Tanyon chuckled as he flashed a glimpse up her body. “Even if you have lost weight in a year, you look good in what you have on. Wearing the same clothes another day won’t hurt.”

  Her cheeks flushed, his words shocking her, vitalizing her. She could say the same thing to him. Seeing him in those jeans would never get old. Paul entered the waiting room with keys in his hand. “Ready, folks?”

  Tanyon swept his hand forward for her to precede him. “Thank you, Paul,” Karis said on the way to his pickup.

  “You’re welcome, ma’am.”

  If they hadn’t spent so much time at lunch or dinner, which included dessert, maybe the truck could’ve been fixed. By the time they arrived at their hotel, it was close to sundown. However, dark clouds built up in the distance, and any lower, the sun would’ve been blocked. At the inn, they found their rooms side by side.

  Upon entering, the first thing she’d noticed was the adjoining door. Her brain spun with images and thoughts she shouldn’t have, but then, there was a knock upon it. She took in a breath, letting it out at a snail’s pace before opening it. He’d removed his hat and button-down and wore a dark t-shirt now. “I like your haircut.”

  “I didn’t mind it long. Too damn hot though. Are you hungry?”

  He still wanted to spend time with her? Good. She wanted the same. “I could eat light.”

  “Did you look at the amazing view?”

  “Not yet.” She padded over to open the drapes on the balcony door. “Oh, how stunning! This is the perfect place for sunset. It’s gorgeous. Can you imagine sunrise?” Tanyon now stood behind her. Heat rolled off him. Their gazes met. Again, the images of them tangled up on the bed caused her pulse to race. A shiver brought up the hair on her arms. Her body remembered his touch as if there hadn’t been a year’s span of their absence from each other’s connection. She yearned for it again. Yearned so much, it hurt.

  He stepped forward to glance out the doorw
ay to his side of the room. “Hmm. Coffee on the balcony in the morning?”

  She’d been too speechless to agree, but oh, boy, she agreed.

  He nudged her shoulder, “Come on, let’s go get something to eat and a beer. Remind me to call Cade to let him know I’ll be late tomorrow.”

  She grabbed her purse and rushed through his room with him and out his door. “I haven’t had a chance to ask. How is Cade’s little girl?”

  “She’s well. You’ll see her soon. Her mom’s dropping her off so she can run out of the country with who knows what this time.”

  “I bet she’s grown.” They continued to stroll at a slow pace across the parking lot beneath heavy clouds gathering above them—the sunset seeing its last moments.

  “She has. Nadia’s going into second grade. You’re good with kids. What if I pay you extra to work with her in the corral? She’s a little spooked by horses. Cade expects her to know how to ride by inheritance. He isn’t the best teacher for her.”

  “We can’t have that now, can we. I’ll be happy to. You don’t have to pay me extra.” His mellow attitude warmed her. This would be a longer night than what she’d spent at his house since she’d arrived. Maybe she’d wake up to find this was only a dream, which would mean she’d have to sleep. What had she done with her key card?

  Chapter Four

  Tanyon grasped her hand on the way back from dinner. Thunder rumbled as they rushed through the parking lot toward their rooms. “Hurry, before we get drenched.”

  “Or struck by lightning. Tanyon, you have long legs. Slow down.”

  “You never complained before.”

  It wasn’t a complaint. She loved his long legs wrapped around her to keep her tight against his body when they’d lain together. There she went again. To keep from going insane, she picked up her pace to get inside and away from him before she did something stupid.

  “Hey?”

  Karis snapped out of it. “Huh?”

  He laughed. “Never mind.” A clap of thunder and more lightning forced them into a run.

  In the elevator, she searched her pockets and purse for her key card. Just my luck. She must’ve dropped it on the dresser in the room as soon as she’d walked in earlier.