by Jill Sanders
When her fingers dug into his hair and pulled off his hat, he followed suit. Her long dark hair had been pulled to one side in a long braid. Now he fumbled until its softness wrapped around his fingers.
It had been too long since he’d allowed himself to be in a moment like this. To let everything he was, everything he’d come from, fade to the back.
When she moved next to him, he took the hint and pulled their bodies closer. Now he could feel her every breath as he slanted his mouth over hers. When a soft moan escaped her lips, he knew he’d want more. No, he needed it.
But then a large body bumped against his back, and he realized the horses hadn’t been tied up. Worried that they would bolt and leave them stranded miles from the house, he jerked away and reached for Bart’s reins.
Emma laughed. “They wouldn’t have gone far,” she assured him as she gathered Sugarplum’s reins. “They’ve been trained well. Besides, they know I brought treats.” She laughed when her horse nudged her in the shoulder. “Soon, Sugarplum” she said. “Go get some water first.” She tossed the reins over the horse’s head, then removed a large bag and a rolled-up blanket she had tied to the saddle earlier and motioned to the creek.
As if on command, the horse started walking towards the creek. Emma turned back to him. “You can let Bart go.” She set the bag down to lay out the blanket.
He tossed the horse’s reins over its neck like Emma had done and waved his hand towards the creek. To his surprise, Bart followed the other horse.
“Something tells me Bart won the challenge, not me,” he said, frowning as he watched the two horses drink from the creek.
“Oh, I knew he would. My brother was never one to lose a bet.” Emma chuckled. He turned back towards her.
“You knew I’d win?” he asked, moving closer to her and watching her set out the food she’d brought.
She paused and glanced up at him. “Yes.”
The sunlight was streaming through the trees as the cool spring breeze caused the new leaves to flutter, making the sunlight almost shimmer over her skin. He lost his breath, and that feeling he’d locked up years ago knocked hard against his chest.
“Well?” she said after a moment. “Sit down. I’m starving.” She motioned to the spot on the blanket next to her.
Like the horses, he followed her command and sat next to her.
“Here.” She handed him a tin mug. “It’s still warm.” He frowned down at the mug of coffee. “Trust me, you’ll need the caffeine spike after we eat.”
She turned back to unload the rest of the food. After the first sip, he realized she was right. He could already feel his energy level replenishing.
“Why Sugarplum?” he asked after the first bite of the sandwich she handed him.
Her eyes moved over to the horse as her smile grew. “I was eight,” she answered, then her eyes moved to his. “I had just watched the Nutcracker for the first time.” She sighed. “The first time I saw him, he was dancing around the corral”—she chuckled— “like a sugar plum fairy.”
“And Bart?” he asked, taking a slice of an apple she offered.
“My brother likes the Simpsons.” She shrugged.
He smiled. “I always liked Ralph the best. I figured it would be wonderful to be that oblivious.”
She laughed. “I know some people like that.”
“No.” He shook his head.
They talked about their favorite shows and movies as they finished eating.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been to a movie,” she admitted.
“What about the old theater in town?” he asked. He’d driven by it several times since he’d been in town.
“Oh, it still works. Actually, Mal’s parents own it, as well.” She made a little face. “But I just haven’t had time lately.”
He could tell she was keeping something from him. “And no one to go with?” he guessed.
Her eyes turned to him. “What about you?”
“I haven’t seen a movie in a theater since before I went into the marines,” he replied quickly.
“I mean…” She sighed.
“I know what you’re asking.” He reached over and took her hand in his. “The answer is the same. Since before I joined up.”
Her eyebrows shot up a little. “That long?”
He shrugged, his eyes memorizing her fingers as if his life depended on it. “There wasn’t a… desire.”
“And now?” Her question was like a soft breeze.
He moved his eyes up to lock with hers. “And now.” He nodded and pulled her into his arms and kissed her again. This time, instead of speed and power, he took his time, exploring her mouth, as if memorizing that part of her too.
Part of him told him that if he didn’t learn all he could about the feeling of her next to him now, he would forget it when it was gone. He wanted the memory to be seared into his brain, into the very core of him.
She moved slightly against him and, somehow, he ended up with his shoulders against the blanket as she hovered over him.
“I thought I had you pegged,” she said, a breath away from him.
“Oh?” he asked, his hand brushing her long hair away from her eyes as he cupped her face.
The almost teal specks in her green eyes caught his attention and held his gaze.
“I mean, it’s obvious, I thought.” She shifted slightly and rested one of her legs over his while the other rested across his thigh. “You’re hurting.” It was instant, the tension, but she brushed the back of her hand over his forehead, moving a strand of his hair out of his eyes. How had he allowed it to get so long? When had he dropped his guard? “You beat yourself up every time you smile or let yourself have fun.” Her eyes returned to his. “Just like that.” She nodded towards him. “You’re fighting an internal battle. One that you don’t seem to want to win.”
He swallowed. Hard. His hands had dropped away from her. He felt like a giant boulder cemented to the very spot he lay. The weight on his entire being was so massive, he didn’t think he would ever move again.
Then she leaned down and brushed her soft lips across his and, suddenly, he was floating once more.
He could have happily kissed her there, in the cool shade of the trees, for the rest of the day, had her cell phone not chimed, breaking the trance.
Of course, she’d left her phone in the saddlebag and had to race to answer it.
When she came back to their picnic a little breathless, he could tell that the moment was over.
“My father.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s expecting us to finish.”
He helped her clean up and gather the horses, then climbed back on Bart and set off to finish their trip around the west pasture.
The sun was just setting when they finished brushing and feeding the horses. Emma showed him how to care for them, and what food they needed.
“They’ll expect you for dinner,” she said when they stepped out of the barn. The sun had slipped behind the hills while they had been inside the barn. Now, once again, the main house was all lit up like a beacon in the darkness. To his left, he could just make out the dim lights of the ranch houses.
He’d bought himself enough frozen dinners to last a week or two.
“I…” he started. This time, when she made that face she made, he laughed. “Are you always going to bully me into doing what you want with that look of yours?”
She smiled. “You get used to it.” She reached down and took his hand and started pulling him towards the house.
“I should go and clean up.”
“No, trust me. Everyone else will be the same as us.”
Sure enough, when they stepped onto the back porch, her family was gathered around the grill, arguing about how they liked their burgers.
“Good,” her father said suddenly. “You’re just in time to tell me how you like your meat.” He motioned with a very long spatula.
“Medium,” he said automatically.
“Told you.” Rick nud
ged his father aside and took the spatula. “They’re not done.” He glanced over towards Trace and rolled his eyes. “My dad likes it still mooing.”
“Trace, Emma, you made it back just in time.” Her mother walked out of the back door holding a large tray of drinks and food. He rushed over to help and took the tray from her. “Oh, thank you.” She motioned towards the table. “You can set that all down there. Emma, why don’t you go in and wash up and grab the rest of the stuff on the counter.”
“I’ll get it,” he suggested. “I need to wash up too.” He opened the screen door and held it open for Emma.
When they stepped inside, Emma turned to him with a giggle. “If you keep acting like that, my entire family is going to know what we’re up to.”
“Up to?” he asked with a slight frown.
Instead of answering, she walked into his arms and kissed him. “Yes, up to,” she said breathlessly before stepping away.
He thought about that kiss for the rest of the night. Well, actually, all of the kisses they’d shared.
By the time he walked back to the ranch house, alone, he was pretty sure he was going to have another sleepless night. So, it surprised him when he tossed off his boots, sat on the couch with a beer to watch a game on the television, and passed out cold.
When he woke the next morning, it was to the alarm on his phone.
Groaning, he pulled himself up and instantly realized just how sore he was from the day before. Knowing he had another full day ahead of him, he showered, dressed, and made his way towards the barn to work.
When he stepped into the barn, he almost knocked someone over. Thinking it was Emma, he grabbed her shoulders to stop her from tumbling over. When he touched her, he instantly knew it wasn’t Emma.
“Sorry,” he said, dropping his hands when Lauren laughed up at him.
“It’s okay.” She shielded her eyes from the bright sunlight coming through the open doors. “I should really watch where I’m going.” She giggled and instantly Trace recognized the look in her eyes. It matched that of Emma’s the other day, after he’d kissed her. “If I wasn’t in a hurry…” She shook her head, sending her dark hair scattering. She was dressed in a soft cotton dress with bright red boots. “Sorry, can’t stay to chat.” She waved in his direction as she headed out the doors.
“Good, you’re here.” Chase came up to him and slapped him on the shoulder. Trace turned and understood who had been kissing Lauren.
His first thought was that it must have been nice growing up with parents who still loved each other. His second, after realizing that Emma was almost a perfect match to her mother, was that everyone undoubtedly knew that he’d kissed Emma yesterday.
“Yes,” he blurted out when he could get his brain working again. If Chase knew that he’d kissed Emma, and he hadn’t killed him yet, did that mean he had the man’s blessing to continue kissing her?
He’d never asked a man to date his daughter before. As he followed Chase around the barn, getting their horses ready for the day, he thought back to the handful of girls he’d dated in school. Not once had he even met their parents, let alone worked with them.
“You doing okay?” Chase finally asked after Trace nodded his head in answer to another question. “You’re quiet today.”
“Fine.” He shook the questions from his mind. After all, if the guy had an issue with him being around, he sure the hell wouldn’t have offered him a job and a place to stay. Right?
“Good.” Chase slapped him again on the back, his hand staying on his shoulder. “I’ll need your mind on the task at hand today. Rounding up the calves is hard work.” He started to move away, but stopped, his fingers tightening slightly on his shoulder and his eyes going dark for a moment. “Emma’s a big girl, but if you hurt her…”
Trace swallowed and nodded quickly. “Yes, sir. I mean, no sir, I won’t,” he added.
“Good.” Chase’s face changed, and the smile returned. “Now, did you eat breakfast?”
Chapter Twelve
There was nothing better than watching Trace take the stage. She knew he’d had a tough time that week working with her family. Even though he had never complained, she could see every time he stood or walked that he was sore.
She’d never really had to deal with it before herself, since she’d practically been born in a saddle. But the summer when she was eleven, she’d broken her arm and had been sidelined by her mother. The first few days back in a saddle had been a little rough for her.
Still, as he stepped up on the stage that Friday night at the Rusty Rail, he looked happier than he had all week.
“I made it.” Mal rushed up to her side a little breathless.
Laughing, Emma turned to her friends. Laura had her cell phone out recording as Trace started his first song.
“I didn’t want to miss a moment,” Mal said. “Gosh, he can sing.” She sighed, causing Emma to turn back towards the stage.
It was true. Being around him all week, she’d forgotten just how amazing he was on stage. Even when he’d kissed her, she hadn’t thought about him singing. They had spent most evenings taking walks, talking, and kissing under the stars.
But each night, he’d walked her back home and disappeared into the dark, heading towards the ranch house alone.
She’d tried to hint that she wanted something more. To move to the next level with him. Either he was avoiding her hints, or he was oblivious to them.
She felt her heart skip when he moved around the stage as he played. Remembering just how wonderful his hard body had felt next to hers, she felt her own body heat at the thought.
“This is pure gold.” Laura sighed.
“What did I miss?” Maggie stopped beside her, followed by her sister Audrey.
“Who’s that?” Audrey asked, the younger girl’s eyes going huge.
“Trace,” she answered, returning her eyes to the stage as he finished his first song.
“Sigh,” Audrey said before moving closer.
“Should I tell her or are you going to?” Laura nudged Emma’s shoulder.
“What?” Emma asked, taking a sip of her beer.
“That he’s off limits,” Mal answered for Laura.
“He’s…” She dropped off as she watched Audrey stop a foot from the stage and give a little twirl, letting her short skirt ride up high as she started dancing for Trace’s attention. She felt her back teeth grind.
“Easy.” Maggie touched Emma’s arm. “I’ll go rein her in. She is, after all, my sister.” Maggie rolled her eyes.
“I swear, my mother tells me all the time how Audrey ended up just like her mama. Well, how she used to be anyway,” Laura said.
Maggie and Audrey’s mother, Savannah, had been the bane of Emma’s mother’s and aunt’s existence in their youth. The woman had only straightened up shortly after marrying the girls’ father, Billy. Now, Savannah was not only one of the nicest women in Fairplay, but one of the most predominant in dedicating her time to helping others.
Emma watched as Maggie tugged her sister towards the bathroom. When Audrey pushed Maggie, Emma gasped.
“Don’t worry, your brother is going to help,” Mal added.
Sure enough, Rick walked across the dance floor and, after talking with Maggie for a moment, took Audrey’s hand and pulled her to the dance floor as the next song started.
“At least she won’t be giving Trace a private show,” Mal said.
“At least for this song,” Laura added dryly.
“I need a beer,” Emma said sometime later after realizing hers was gone. She’d ridden with Trace, since he’d needed the help unloading his equipment, therefore she was free to have a few drinks that night.
Making her way through the crowded place, she ordered another beer and as she waited and watched the crowd.
There were more than a dozen women crowded around the stage now. Somehow, Audrey had ditched her brother and was once again swaying a few feet below the stage.
For his part, Tra
ce was ignoring his growing fan club. When he looked out from the stage, his eyes seemed to just wander around.
That’s when it dawned on her. She remembered last week, when she’d been pulled up onto the stage, how bright the lights had been and how difficult it had been to see anything beyond the darkness and light.
Trace couldn’t even see the obvious flirtatious display a few feet in front of him.
Smiling, she paid for her beer and almost bumped into her cousin Levi.
“Hey.” She hugged him. “You’re back?”
Levi hugged her and shook his head. “Only for this weekend.” He rolled his eyes. “It’s the parents’ anniversary.” He nodded to the corner where his parents sat. Levi’s father, Reece, was her mother’s first cousin. Missy, his mother, worked down at the clinic as head nurse. Her father ran his own ranch busting broncos for a living. Some of the best horses they’d had on the ranch came from Reece’s place. Levi was part of the bronco circuit and had won more blue ribbons busting broncos than anyone else in Texas.
Levi was like his father—tall, dark, and good-looking. Lots of women in town considered him to be sexy as sin, and if he wasn’t her second cousin, she would have swooned for him long ago. But they’d practically been raised as siblings, so she thought of him just like she did Rick.
“Right.” She snapped her fingers. “I have a card.” She pulled the card she’d made for his parents earlier that day out her purse and handed it to him. “I was planning on stopping by and giving this to them myself. Will you give it to them? I’ll swing by their table and say hi in a while.” She could see Mal and Laura waving to her frantically. She shoved the card in his hand and rushed back to her friends. “What?” she said, a little breathless. Some of her beer had spilled on her fingers and she licked it off.
“I think Trace is looking for you,” Laura said directly into her ear.
She glanced up to the stage. He was just finishing up another song and, sure enough, his eyes were glued to her. Well, there went her theory of him not being able to see past the bright lights.
Smiling, she carried her beer closer to the stage just as he finished the song.
