A Cowboy’s Promise

by Marin Thomas

  A shadow stepped from the barn and Amy held her breath as Matt headed toward the house. A short time later his boots hit the porch steps. Next came the squeak of the screen door. Then a quiet woof from Moose, who’d been sleeping on his cushion.

  “Hey, Moose. Keeping an eye on my girls?”

  The note of affection in Matt’s voice twisted Amy’s heart. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, he cared about her, Rose and Lily. “Hi, Matt.”

  He stiffened, his head swinging her way. “Thought you’d all gone to bed.”

  She’d assumed as much. Amy had flipped off the lights earlier, not wanting him to spot her silhouette in the window. His scent—male sweat, horse and a hint of the aftershave sitting on the bathroom sink reached her nose and she breathed deeply. “I noticed Nathan stopped by today.”

  “Nothing to worry about.”

  His clipped response sent up red flags in her head. “Why did he—”

  “Let me grab a quick shower and we’ll talk.” Then he was gone, leaving Amy in the dark once again.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Matt, dressed in a clean pair of jeans and a T-shirt, padded barefoot down the hall. He stopped at the top of the stairs and ran his fingers through his hair. He expected two questions from Amy when he entered the kitchen: why the vet had paid a visit today and why Matt was avoiding her. He wasn’t eager to answer either inquiry. He gave himself a mental shove, descended the stairs and found Amy where he’d left her—in front of the window, staring at the darkening sky.

  Had it been three weeks since he’d arrived at the farm with his mares in tow? Funny how time had slowed to a crawl, each day feeling longer than the previous. He’d become so comfortable interacting with Rose and Lily that the volunteer at the animal shelter had mistakenly believed the girls were his daughters.

  Funny how you didn’t bother to correct the woman.

  He must have made a sound because Amy spun and offered him that sweet, sexy smile she’d flashed on and off all week. Enough light from the hall spilled into the room, enabling him to read the anxiety in her brown eyes.

  Right then he cursed himself for making love to her and stirring things up between them. They should have kept their relationship professional or at most, friends. But they’d crossed the line and become lovers and Matt had fallen hard for the widow.

  Amy didn’t have to do much to trigger a physical response from him. A look. A smile. A sigh. And he was ready. Right now, he ached to take her in his arms and replace the uncertainty in her gaze with the sated, relaxed smile she wore after making love.

  She hadn’t uttered a single word, but her eyes urged him closer. He stopped inches in front of her, wrapped a finger around a soft curl and tugged gently, bringing her face forward. The tiny catch in her throat shot straight to his groin and he used his mouth to show her how much he’d missed her this week. Missed touching her. Missed her scent…her softness.

  He meant only to kiss her, but his hand found her breast. She wasn’t wearing a bra. He slid the dress off her shoulders and stared. She made an erotic picture, standing before him bare-chested with her dress pooling at her waist. He lowered his mouth to her nipple…teased. Tormented. Licked and nibbled.

  Fingers threading through his hair, she confessed, “I’ve missed you.”

  The three little words blew his good intentions—what there had been of them anyway—to smithereens. Nothing mattered but making love to Amy. Hands and mouths collided. His T-shirt landed on the floor. He set her on the counter and stood between her legs. The sound of ragged breathing echoed seductively around them.

  “What about your leg?” she whispered, caressing his denim-covered thigh.

  “The leg is fine.” He shifted her hand to the bulge at the front of his jeans. “This hurts.”

  Giggling, she said, “I can help with that.” Then she lowered the zipper and together they shoved his jeans past his hips. He flipped her dress up around her waist and groaned.

  “You’re not wearing any panties.” His fingers stroked the moist curls.

  “I was hoping…” She sighed the words into his mouth.

  Amy had planned to seduce him tonight? Lucky man. No more words were spoken. She found the condom in his wallet and sheathed him, then he thrust inside her. Their mating was hard and hot and neither wanted it to end. Then her fingernails dug into his shoulders and she buried her face in his neck and moaned her release. Matt was right behind her. Another thrust and he reached his own climax.

  Amy wasn’t sure how long her and Matt’s bodies had remained tangled before her bottom went numb. She wiggled loose from his hold and in silence they helped one another adjust their clothes. Taking his hand she led him to the porch swing. Moose followed, resting on his cushion. Feeling lazy and loved, she curled against Matt’s side. With his arm around her, Amy was prepared to face any challenge life threw her way. “What was Nathan doing here today?”

  For a moment he stopped breathing.

  Worried, she asked, “Is something the matter with SOS?”

  “Everything’s fine. I haven’t had the mares long so I’m not familiar with their cycles. Nathan checked to see which are in estrus.”

  “And?”

  “Cinnamon’s the only one.”

  Thank God. Amy hoped for a never-ending summer. Matt stared into space and Amy worried about his sudden aloofness. Deciding to change the subject she said, “Guess what?”

  “What?”

  “I got a job offer.”

  “You did?” He shifted toward her.

  “Vista Insurance. I’m keying information on insurance forms into their company software program. The course instructor heard of the job and recommended me. I had an interview this past Wednesday and Vista offered me the job today.”

  “Congratulations.” He bent his head to kiss her cheek, but she twisted at the last second, ensuring their lips bumped. This time the kiss wasn’t hot or heavy, but soft and gentle. When it ended, Amy wanted more. She always wanted more. Matt was an exceptional kisser.

  “A week from Monday the insurance company is delivering a computer to the house. This way I’ll be able to work from home and won’t have to pay for child care. Once I sell SOS, my regular customers will board their horses at the farm, then my worries are over.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Even if I don’t get top dollar for SOS, the money he brings in will go a long way in paying off my debt. And my income from the insurance company combined with boarding horses should be enough to cover the mortgage and monthly expenses.”

  “You’ve got it all figured out,” he mumbled.

  “Well, sort of,” she hedged. Gathering her courage…“I realize I owe you for both the May and June mortgage payments, but is it possible to borrow another sixteen hundred for July?”

  When Matt didn’t respond, she assured, “As soon as I receive my first full paycheck from Vista I’ll begin reimbursing you.”

  “Sure.” He sprang from the swing and moved to the porch steps. “I’ll stop by the bank tomorrow and deposit the money into your account.”

  Why wasn’t he making eye contact with her?

  “Time to turn in,” he said.

  That’s it? They weren’t going to make love again? Her throat swelled. “Not feeling well?”

  “Tired is all. ’Night.” Then he was gone.

  Leaving Amy feeling abandoned and downright ticked.

  “WHATCHA DOIN’?” Rose asked when Matt stepped from the barn.

  “How long have you been standing out here?”

  Slim shoulders shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  “Where’s Lily?”

  “Napping.”

  “Where’s your mother?” Matt hungered for a glimpse of Amy.

  Rose’s chest filled with air, then she sighed dramatically. “Studying.”

  Today was Amy’s last session of her data-entry class. Seven days had passed since Matt and Amy’s rendezvous in the kitchen. He’d managed to keep his hands to
himself for the rest of the weekend, then Monday had arrived and everything had returned to normal—Amy left for Rockton in the afternoon and Nicole showed up to watch the girls. He’d hardly seen Amy all week—but out of sight did not mean out of mind. At least knowing she was busy with class work helped him control the urge to go up to the house and…never mind with her.

  Wiggling the stick in her hand, Rose asked, “Want me to show you the trick I taught Moose?”

  “Sure.” Matt chuckled. The dog was dead to the world, snoozing on the porch. As he watched Rose dash off to coax Moose from his nap, Matt’s chest tightened with emotion. He’d miss Amy’s daughters when he left.

  With a lot of prodding and a biscuit, Rose convinced the dog to follow her to the barn. “Watch this,” she said.

  Moose didn’t budge as his droopy eyes followed the stick sailing through the air.

  “Go get it, Moose. C’mon.” Rose stomped her foot and grumbled, “Stupid dog.”

  Matt wasn’t sure if he sympathized more with the kid or the dog. “Teaching Moose to fetch a stick is a lot like potty training Lily.”

  “Huh?” Rose wrinkled her nose.

  “It takes time and patience. And you’re going to have a few mess ups once in a while. Have you tried throwing him a ball?” When Rose shook her head, he said, “I put SOS out to pasture, so it’s safe to come inside the barn.” The little girl followed Matt past the empty horse stalls. “Let’s see if there’s a toy for Moose to play with in the storage room.”

  They rummaged through a trunk of junk and discovered a small rubber ball with a rope attached to it. Amy had probably hung the ball from a tree branch for the horses to play with while they grazed in pasture.

  When they exited the barn, the dog grew excited and barked. Rose kicked the ball and Moose took off like a rocket. Rose’s squeal of excitement died a quick death when the mastiff refused to bring the ball back, preferring to shove it around the ground with his face.

  “He’s a soccer player,” Matt said.

  Rose joined in the soccer game with Moose while Matt’s eyes strayed to the house. He spotted Amy on the porch wearing a smile as she watched her daughter tussle with the dog. The breeze in the air stirred the curls around Amy’s face and she repeatedly brushed strands of hair from her eyes. Then those beautiful brown eyes swung his way and even from a distance he read her mind…

  What did I do wrong, Matt?

  Not a damned thing, Amy.

  Then why are you avoiding me?

  Because I love you.

  I love you, too.

  You wouldn’t if you knew the truth I’ve been keeping from you.

  “Mama,” Rose shouted. “Moose knows how to play soccer!”

  Forced to focus on her daughter, Amy turned away first. Matt disappeared inside the barn and spied from the shadows. When Amy discovered he’d walked off, she lowered her guard, closing her eyes and pinching the bridge of her nose between her fingertips.

  Damn it, Amy, don’t cry. Not over me.

  After a moment she called for Rose to come inside for lunch. Moose remained behind, content to play with the ball alone. The sound of an approaching vehicle caught Matt’s ear. Pebble Creek’s veterinarian barreled up the drive. He hoped Nathan had good news.

  “Matt,” the vet greeted when he hopped out of the truck.

  After the men shook hands, Matt got right to the point. “Any news from the lab?”

  “They called this morning.” Nathan’s sober expression didn’t bode well for the stud.

  “And…?”

  “For all intents and purposes, SOS’s sperm count is so low he’s considered sterile.”

  “Oh, hell.” Matt shoved his fingers through his hair. Wait until Amy heard this latest bit of news.

  “I’m sorry, Matt.”

  Sorry for what? For Ben being a stupid ass and not having a vet confirm the stallion’s fertility before purchasing the animal? Sorry that the stud was of no use to Amy and now she had no means with which to pay off the debts her husband had saddled her with? Sorry Matt would have to drive back to Oklahoma with his tail tucked between his legs and confess his big plans to breed horses had backfired?

  “Would you like me to break the news to Amy?” Nathan interrupted Matt’s internal agonizing.

  “No. I will.” If Matt had his way, Amy would never learn SOS was sterile. “Thanks for driving out to deliver the news in person.” Small-town hospitality at its best.

  “Sure thing.” Nathan tipped his hat, then hopped into his truck and sped off.

  Numb with shock, Matt returned to the barn and sat on the hay bale in the corner. He attempted to summon up some anger, but the single emotion pulsing through him was relief—he finally had a legitimate reason to leave the Broken Wheel.

  What was he going to tell Amy?

  In truth, Matt believed Amy was nothing like Kayla. Amy would never accept money from him for SOS if she learned the stallion was sterile. But it would be better for both of them—okay, mostly him—if she believed Matt had left because he was convinced she was after his money.

  Telling Amy the real reason he had to leave wasn’t an option. He cringed when he imagined the disbelief and hurt on her face if he confessed how he’d used her husband for his own personal gain. And for what? Nobody had walked away from that poker game a winner.

  There was one way to make amends to Amy and if he had to drop to his knees and beg his father for a loan, he would. Matt intended to pay Amy’s mortgage through the rest of the summer and buy SOS from her. It was the least he could do. Then he’d load up the horses and his guilty conscience and make a mad dash to Oklahoma, leaving Amy and her daughters to make a fresh start in life.

  Tonight he’d bring in the horses from the pasture and pack his things. He wanted to be ready to leave at a minute’s notice.

  Matt didn’t have to wait long. Saturday morning after breakfast Amy announced the girls wanted to introduce Moose to Jake and Helen. Once the taillights on Amy’s truck disappeared, Matt hit the ground running.

  “THINGS OKAY BETWEEN YOU and Matt?” Jake asked Amy as they waited for Helen and the girls to come out of the house.

  Keeping her expression neutral, Amy fibbed, “Sure. Why?”

  “Matt’s a good man.” Jake grinned. “You might do worse for a second husband.”

  Amy nudged the dirt with the tip of her boot. She didn’t dare let on that she’d fantasized about her and Matt tying the knot. She’d love nothing more than for Rose and Lily to have a real father—a man who spent quality time with them. And she certainly wouldn’t complain about having a husband who showed a little interest in her.

  If only she knew what was eating at Matt…But there was nothing left to do or say until he decided to confess whatever was bothering him. The waiting was excruciating—this constant yearning inside her exhausting. It had been a struggle to study this past week with her mind drifting to Matt and their lovemaking.

  “Matt has his own plans for the future,” she said.

  “He mentioned raisin’ cuttin’ horses. Your farm’s big enough for a small herd.”

  “His father owns a huge ranch, Jake.”

  “That might be, but you and the girls aren’t in Oklahoma, are you?”

  “It’s not like that between us.” At least not yet.

  Jake expelled a grumpy umph. “Well, it ought to be if he’s climbin’ into your sleepin’ bag at night.”

  Amy had nothing to say to that.

  “Do you love him?”

  She wanted to tell Jake to mind his own business, but didn’t. He and Helen had stood by her side at the funeral home, when her own husband hadn’t bothered to come in off the circuit for his in-laws’ burial. Helen had prepared all the food for the visitation at the house following the church service. Jake had looked after the boarded horses that hadn’t yet been removed from the farm while Amy had walked around in a daze. But…discussing her love life as if they were jawing over the price of feed corn was embarrassing.


  “Yes, I love him,” she admitted.

  “I expect everythin’ll work out.”

  Swallowing the ache in her throat, she whispered, “Thanks for caring, Jake.”

  The girls came out of the house, Moose loping after them. Amy lowered the tailgate and the dog vaulted into the truck bed. They drove off, Rose and Lily waving goodbye and Moose’s slobbery jowls flapping in the wind.

  Twenty minutes later Amy pulled into the ranch yard and her heart screeched to a stop. Matt’s truck and horse trailer were missing. Maybe he’d taken the stallion to the equine hospital in Benton. He’d never been clear about why he’d called Nathan last week.

  First things first. She’d get the girls settled, then she’d ring Matt’s cell phone and ask what was going on. Inside the house Amy shooed the girls up to their room to play. Moose followed—the dog was no dummy. He’d found the stash of Milk-Bones Rose had hid under her bed. Amy had discovered the dog treats a few days ago when she’d vacuumed the rug in the room.

  Once her daughters were occupied, Amy went straight to the phone. As she walked past the kitchen table she spotted the white envelope propped against the fruit bowl and froze. Her name was scrawled in Matt’s handwriting across the front.

  Dread formed a knot in her stomach. With shaking hands she read the note.

  Amy—I know you say you don’t want my money, but it’s obvious you need help. Before I leave town today, I’m stopping by the bank and paying the mortgage on the farm through September. That should give you enough time to get your finances in order. I’ve taken SOS with me. Thought I’d save you the trouble of finding a buyer. I’m depositing fifty-thousand into your bank account for the stud. I’ll mail you the deposit receipt on my way out of town.

  Fifty-thousand dollars?

  Use the money to pay off your debts. Keep the rest to buy supplies so you can board horses again.

  Tell the girls goodbye for me. Moose, too. I’m going to miss them.

  What about her? Wouldn’t he miss her?

  Obviously not. He’d written nothing else. Tears stained her cheeks and she angrily swiped at them. How dare he believe the worst of her?