The Texan Tries Again

by Stella Bagwell

  Walking over to the horse he’d saddled for his personal use today, he tried to put Emily-Ann out of his mind for the moment. He had work to do and she was coming out to the ranch to see him tonight. He’d let himself concentrate on her then.

  Hell, he’d do more than concentrate, he thought. Once he had her in his arms, he wouldn’t be letting her go until the wee hours of the morning.

  And do you honestly believe having sex is all the woman wants from you, Taggart? Could be that she’s just like all other women. She might want to be wined and dined and taken somewhere other than to bed. But then, you don’t really care about what she wants, do you? You say you don’t want to be like the other men she’s had in her life, but that’s a laugh. You need to take a long look in the mirror and make yourself face the truth.

  Doing his best to block out the caustic voice going off in his head, he got busy tightening the cinch strap on the saddle. With that task finished, he was checking the rest of the tack when the cell phone in his pocket pinged with a new message.

  Thinking it might be Blake wanting him to stop by the office, he pulled out the phone and was a bit surprised to see a message so early in the morning from his sister, Tallulah.

  To give you a heads-up—Dad has been coming around, asking for money. I haven’t given him any. But he’s making noises about coming out there to see you. Guess he thinks you’re rich now. She ended the message with a heart emoji, along with a smiley face.

  Hearing from his sister usually gave Taggart a happy lift, but this warning about their father was unsettling. Damn it. The man was a user and Taggart wanted no part of him. And he definitely didn’t want the man making his sister miserable or messing up things here on Three Rivers.

  “That frown on your face is about as deep as the Grand Canyon. Trouble this morning?”

  Maureen’s voice pulled Taggart out of his dark thoughts and he turned around to see the Hollister matriarch walking up to him. She was wearing her usual work attire of jeans and boots and an old gray felt hat pulled over her chestnut ponytail. A saddled bay horse followed close behind her right shoulder.

  “No. Nothing that can’t be fixed.” He dropped the phone back into his shirt pocket and looked at her. “The men are just now heading out. Were you planning on joining some of them, or me?”

  Smiling, she said, “Given a choice, I’ll take you. I don’t know what you had planned for this morning, but I thought we might take a long ride.”

  Questions immediately circled through Taggart’s head. Normally Gil showed up with Maureen every morning and the two of them had been going out together to help with the ranching chores. But the man was clearly absent today.

  “I can do that,” he said. “Did you have a certain place on the ranch in mind?”

  “I do. I want to ride over to water pump number nine.”

  Taggart stared at the woman and hoped the shock he was feeling didn’t show on his face. “Maureen, I—are you sure? That’s the place—”

  Her lips formed a grim line. “Listen, Tag, you don’t have to tiptoe around me. My sons think they need to treat me like I’m a marshmallow or something. They’re wrong. Do I look soft?”

  “Not exactly.” On the outside she was an attractive woman, but Taggart had already learned that on the inside she was as tough as nails.

  “Hell, I’m not going to fall apart if someone mentions Joel’s name. Or says he was most likely murdered. I’ve lived with the reality of his death for years now.”

  “Yes, but do you think it’s wise for us to ride to that area? Does anyone, other than me, know what you have planned?”

  She scowled at him. “No. And I don’t intend on telling any of them. I don’t want to hear all their arguments and excuses to try to stop me. As far as anyone knows, you and I are going out to check on a herd of cows. That’s what I told Reeva when I left the house this morning and that’s what we’ll tell anyone else if they ask. Got it?”

  “Got it,” Taggart assured her. “We’re checking on cows.”

  What else could he say? She was the owner of the ranch. He didn’t want to go against her wishes. But the more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea that she felt she could trust him. And if he could help her, even if it was just to ease her curiosity about the area where her husband had met his demise, it would be well worth the ride.

  She wasted no time swinging herself into the saddle. “I have a canteen of water,” she said. “Do you?”

  “I have a couple of bottles in my saddlebags.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You young people. Those things burst at the drop of your hat. Plus they don’t keep the water cool like a canteen. I’m going to make a point to buy you one.”

  Grinning, Taggart finished tightening his cinch. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Maureen chuckled as he swung his leg over the saddle and reined his horse alongside hers.

  She said, “Forgive me, Tag. I’m sounding like a mother. Sometimes I just can’t help myself.”

  “Don’t worry. I can get used to it.”

  For the next two hours they rode in a southerly direction, occasionally alternating the gait of the horses from a walk to a long trot.

  With the ranch covering miles in all directions, Taggart still hadn’t seen all there was to see of the property. But last week, he’d ridden with Joseph over to water well number nine and he’d not forgotten how to get there. The deputy was always in hopes of finding new evidence and the two of them had searched several dry gulches before they’d finally given up and headed home.

  Taggart was wondering if Maureen knew about their recent trip or any of the past trips her sons had made to this area of the ranch. So far during their ride, she’d not mentioned anything about the investigation the men had been making into Joel’s death, but that didn’t mean she was oblivious to what had been going on.

  “I imagine you’ve been wondering why Gil didn’t show up with me today,” she said, as the two of them crossed a shallow stream shaded with willows.

  “It did cross my mind,” Taggart admitted.

  “He had to go to Phoenix today on police business. They still ask for his help sometimes on certain cases. But he doesn’t plan on making a habit of going down there. He’d rather be here on the ranch.”

  “He seems to like doing ranch work.” And being with you, Taggart could’ve added.

  “Ranching is what he was really meant to do,” she said, then glanced over at him. “I think my children and most everyone who knows me has been wondering why I invited Gil to move into the ranch house instead of getting a place of his own.”

  “I’ve not heard anyone remarking on the subject,” Taggart said honestly.

  She let out a short laugh. “I’m sure the subject has been beaten to death by many, but that doesn’t really worry me. There are reasons I feel this way. And no. Gil and I aren’t having an affair, but we are growing close. Like you and Emily-Ann, maybe?”

  Her question caught him by complete surprise. Not that she knew he’d been seeing Emily-Ann, but because she’d openly asked him about it.

  Knowing his expression was worse than sheepish, he wiped a hand over his face and tried to give her a genuine smile.

  “We have been spending a lot of time together. She’s a special woman.”

  “I’ve always known it would take a special man to see that about her. I’m glad it’s you, Tag.”

  What would Maureen think if he told her that he’d been doing more than seeing Emily-Ann? That he was having an affair with her? Most likely, she’d be highly disappointed in him. It was obvious that Maureen thought of Emily-Ann as a third daughter and she didn’t want her hurt for anyone or any reason.

  Not that Taggart planned to hurt her. But he was beginning to ask himself just how far their relationship could go. In spite of how happy she made him, he still couldn’t let himself think in terms of
forever. He’d already learned that there was no forever. Not for him.

  His troubled thoughts must have shown on his face, because Maureen suddenly asked, “What’s wrong? You look awfully glum for a man who has a special woman in his life.”

  Lifting his hat from his head, he swiped a hand through his sweaty hair. “I haven’t told anybody but Emily-Ann about this, but I was married a long time ago. She and the baby we were expecting got killed in a car crash.”

  “I know.”

  Stunned, he stared at her. He couldn’t believe Emily-Ann had divulged something he’d told her in private. “How did you know?”

  The smile she gave him was gentle and reassuring. “You don’t think I would allow anyone to come in and take over the foreman job at Three Rivers without learning all about him first, now do you?”

  So the Hollisters had done more than read his résumé, Taggart thought. Well, he should have already realized they would do a background check on him. They ran a multimillion-dollar business. They couldn’t take chances on hiring someone who might end up being dishonest.

  “Oh. Well, you never mentioned anything about it to me,” he reasoned.

  “There wasn’t any point. And I wouldn’t be doing it now but I think I’ve become somewhat of an expert at being a widow and I know the sort of things that are probably still going through your mind—even though it’s been a long time since the tragedy.”

  Sighing, he absently stroked the sorrel’s neck. “You can’t forget, Maureen. Not entirely.”

  “Exactly. But you can move beyond it.”

  Curious now, he looked at her. “Is that what you’ve done with Gil?”

  Before she could answer, he swiftly shook his head. “I’m sorry, Maureen. I’m being too damned nosy. Just forget I asked that.”

  “No. I’m glad you did ask it. My answer is that I’m trying. And that’s what I hope you’re doing, too, Tag. With Emily-Ann. Moving forward. Unafraid. I think you both deserve that.”

  He could’ve told her he’d been hoping for the same thing. Hoping that one day soon, he would wake up feeling like a confident man. God only knew how much he wanted to be free of the past and to be able to reach out for the things he truly wanted. But moving on took lots of courage and strength and so far he’d not been able to find those things.

  Glancing ahead, he noticed they were approaching an arroyo that was so deep that cattle and horses could only climb in and out at certain places.

  “We don’t have very far to go to the well pump now, Maureen,” Taggart told her. “If you want to turn around and go back, I’ll understand.”

  Shaking her head, she smiled at him. “I just gave you a talk about moving forward, Tag, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”

  She nudged her spurs into the horse’s side and the bay took off into a long trot straight toward the arroyo.

  Taggart realized Maureen wasn’t going to give him the option of turning around. Like it or not, he had to follow. And he suddenly wondered if this long trip had actually been taken for her sake, or his.

  Chapter Eleven

  Later that same day, a few short miles before the turnoff to Three Rivers Ranch, Emily-Ann passed the entrance to the Bar X where Tessa and Joseph lived with their young son, Little Joe, and baby daughter, Spring. The youngest of the Hollister brothers, he’d been the first to marry and have children. Now the men were all married with growing families and so were their sisters, Vivian and Camille. One by one, Emily-Ann had watched them find love and happiness, the kind that tied two people together for the duration of their lives. And somewhere between the weddings and showers and christenings, she’d hoped and prayed that the same sort of love and happiness would come to her.

  So far it hadn’t happened, and though she’d allowed her hopes to rise when she’d first met Taggart, she was beginning to accept the fact that he’d been completely honest when he told her he wasn’t looking for anything long-term.

  This past month the two of them had spent every possible night they could manage with each other. And when she’d been lying in his arms, he’d never as much as mentioned the word love, much less coupled it with the word future. The two of them were simply living in the moment. And she had no idea how much longer this thing between them could last.

  The reality caused her to push out a heavy sigh, but it was hardly enough to make her put her foot on the brake and turn the car around. No. Being with Taggart was something she couldn’t resist. He made her feel beautiful and sexy and worthy. And for now she had to hold on to the hope that one day he might actually fall in love with her.

  You ninny. When are you ever going to grow up? A man like Taggart isn’t ever going to fall in love with you. The only kind of man you’ll ever snag is one that’s afraid of his own shadow, poor as a church mouse, or so slovenly you’ll have to knock his feet off the furniture. This cowboy is temporary with a capital T.

  Hating the nagging voice rattling around in her head, Emily-Ann pushed harder on the accelerator. Taggart was waiting for her and right now that was all that mattered.

  * * *

  Taggart was late getting home. Through the darkness he could see Emily-Ann’s car already parked in her usual spot next to a patch of prickly pear. The fact that she was here to greet him lifted some of the fatigue from his shoulders.

  By the time he reached the steps to the porch, he spotted her sitting in the wooden swing. King was up in the seat, lying with his head on her lap.

  “So much for King being a big, tough working dog,” he joked. “It’s no wonder he wants to stay here instead of the ranch yard—where he belongs.”

  Smiling, she stroked the dog’s head. “With a name like his, he’s supposed to be treated like royalty.”

  “Hmm. I think I’ll change mine to prince.” Grinning, he sauntered over to the swing. “Maybe I’ll get more kisses that way.”

  “Hah!”

  Easing the dog’s head off her lap, she stood, wrapped her arms around Taggart’s waist and planted a soft kiss on his lips. “Hello, Prince.”

  The sweetness of her greeting pushed away the troubling thoughts that had drifted in and out of his head all day and he gladly kissed her again. Just to make sure they didn’t reappear to ruin this night for him.

  “Sorry I’m so late. You should have gone on in the house. Have you been here long?”

  “Not too long,” she answered. “And don’t worry, I’ve already been inside. I brought food.”

  Curving his arm around her shoulders, he urged her toward the door. Behind them, King lifted his head and whined in protest.

  Pausing, Emily-Ann glanced back at the dog. “We could let him inside for a little while, couldn’t we?”

  “Are you kidding? He’s a cur—a working dog. He’s not supposed to be in the house. Doc would have a fit.”

  “I seriously doubt Chandler would throw a fit. Of all the Hollister brothers, he has the softest heart.”

  “You say that like you’re sure.”

  She beamed a knowing smile at him. “I should be sure. I’ve known them since I was in third grade.”

  And that was a heck of a lot longer than Taggart had been acquainted with the Hollisters. Which made it no surprise that Maureen made no bones about wanting Emily-Ann to be happy and treated with respect. Taggart got the impression that Maureen believed his intentions toward Emily-Ann were honorable and he’d not said anything to make her believe otherwise. So now he could label himself a big hypocrite along with being a coward, he thought grimly.

  Caving in to Emily-Ann and the dog, he said, “Okay. Come on, King. I guess you can be a house dog for a little while.”

  The three of them entered the house and Taggart promptly excused himself. “I’d better go wash up before we eat,” he told her.

  “Take your time. I’ll get things ready for our supper.”

  Sh
ort minutes later, when he entered the kitchen, he noticed Emily-Ann had set the table with paper plates. As she filled iced glasses with sweet tea, he sniffed the air with appreciation.

  “Mmm. How did you know I’d been craving pizza?”

  She placed the pitcher on the table. “You talk in your sleep.”

  Laughing, he walked over to the table and pulled out her chair. “Since when have I ever been asleep while we’re in bed together?”

  A pink blush stole over her cheeks and he was amazed that the intimate part of their relationship still had that much effect on her.

  “Good point,” she said with a chuckle.

  After she was seated, he made himself comfortable in the chair angled to her right elbow. Emily-Ann promptly opened the lid on the pizza box and offered it to him.

  “You must have had last-minute work to keep you late,” she said. “I was beginning to think there was an emergency going on.”

  He placed two wedges of pizza on his plate, while marveling how the day had ended up pulling every ounce of energy from his body. Which didn’t make sense. Most of the day he’d spent in the saddle, riding with Maureen, and the rest had been spent at the ranch yard sorting steers to be shipped to Red Bluff.

  “No. Nothing like that. I was just running behind on everything that needed to get done. Maureen and I rode most of the morning and part of the afternoon—checking on cows.”

  She looked faintly surprised, but not nearly as surprised as Taggart had felt this morning when Maureen had approached him with her wishes.

  “Oh. Did Gil go with you? I remember you saying he’d been going out every day, working with Maureen.”

  “No. Gil had to make a trip to Phoenix today.”