Chantilly’s Cowboy

by Debra Kayn

  “Hold on tight, Craig. Don’t let him have his head.” Stuart guided him from afar.

  Chantilly pointed. “Bring your right foot forward more.” She smiled. “Show ’im who’s boss.”

  Jack spoke low to Craig, glanced over at Chantilly and winked. Chantilly leaned down toward her dad. “He’s really good with him, ain’t he?”

  “Yup. Jack’s done a great job with that boy.” Stuart cleared his throat. “It’s nice to have some young blood on the ranch for a chance.”

  “You calling me old, Daddy?” She laughed.

  He harrumphed and turned his attention to what was going on inside the pen. She gazed at Craig as Jack backed up and joined her at the fence.

  Without taking his sight off his nephew, Jack stepped up on the fence and balanced at the top. Far enough not to get in the way, but close enough he could help Craig if needed.

  “Ready, son?” Jack’s low, husky voice sent her tummy to quivering.

  Craig pulled his hat down tighter and gave a curt nod. “Yeehaw!”

  The horse sprang straight up in the air and landed on stiff legs. Craig kept his seat in the saddle. Prepared for the quick spurt from the horse, he held tight on the reins and refused to let the horse control the moves.

  “There you go,” she whispered. “Hang tight.”

  Unable to unseat the trespasser on his back, the horse gave up on the back-crushing bunny hops and reared back. Craig leaned forward, pressing his cheek against the strained muscles of the horse’s neck. Chantilly gasped.

  “He’s fine, darlin’.” Jack grinned. “The kid’s a damn good rider.”

  The horse landed on all fours and took off like a shot across the short area, slamming Craig’s leg against the railing and trying to rid himself of his rider. Jack was right. Craig had his jaw set and had the horse under his control the best he could.

  Horse and rider continued to struggle for dominance. Craig never once slacked off when the horse paused to rethink his tactics. A little more…

  In what seemed like a half hour, but more than likely didn’t last more than ten minutes, the horse took a tentative step, and then another until Craig had the horse trotting around the perimeter of the round pen.

  “Nice and easy. Take her around a few more time and when you feel her muscles relaxing, give her a little breathing room.”

  Full of confidence, Craig concentrated on keeping the control he’d gained. The horse blew out his nose and spit spewed from its mouth.

  “Walk her out, boy. Wear her down and you’ll have yourself a helluva mount.” Stuart coughed to clear his throat. He elbowed Jack’s side. “I think that kid’s gonna give you a run for your money someday. He’d make a damn fine foreman with the right teacher.”

  “Yes, he would.” Jack winked at Chantilly. “You think we can convince him to give up being a lawyer and wear clod stompers instead?”

  Chantilly laughed and jumped down off the fence. “Nah, the kid likes to debate everything. He might be able to ride and rope like a pro, but he thrives off winning an argument.”

  Stuart reached out and held on to the fence. His knuckles were white from the amount of strength he used to balance himself. Oh, Daddy.

  “I’m going up to the house to start lunch. You wanna come with me?” She placed her hand on Stuart’s arm. “You can keep me company while I fix your favorite sandwich.”

  Stuart laid his arm over her shoulder and coughed. This new sign of his condition worsening worried her but was expected. The doctors had informed them all that the more he lost control of his muscles, the harder it would be for him to swallow. She didn’t expect the simple action of coughing to clear his throat to tire the rest of his muscles throughout his body so quickly, though. Any kind of exertion seemed to take all his strength. It wouldn’t be too long before he’d be in a wheelchair.

  She gave her dad a squeeze and turned back to Jack. “Give me ’bout a half hour and bring Craig in to eat, ’kay?”

  “Sure thing.” Jack gave her a quick kiss and glanced over at Stuart. “Make sure she doesn’t try putting any of that rabbit food on my meal, boss.”

  “Don’t listen to him, Daddy. The man would live off meat and taters if I let him.” Chantilly walked slowly so not to rush her dad over the uneven ground.

  After lunch, Craig followed Chantilly up to the foreman’s cabin while Jack headed out to mend fences and Stuart lay down to take a nap. She peered out into the field, but Jack must have ridden out to the C field to finish the daily chore of making sure the cattle were safe and content.

  “You love him.”

  Chantilly turned to Craig and lifted her brow. “Of course.”

  He grinned. She smiled back. Craig had the same sexy way he lifted the corner of his mouth as Jack did, along with the hint of a dimple. Oh Lordy, help all the girls who’ll fall under his charm.

  “I’m glad.” Craig put the laundry basket on his other hip. “If anyone deserves love, it’s Jack. He’s put his life on hold for too long…for me.”

  “He wouldn’t have it any other way.” She opened the front door of the cabin and stepped back, letting Craig enter first. “He’s proud of the man you’ve become. Jack talks ’bout you going to school and how you’ve worked hard to make it on the dean’s list all the time.”

  She took the laundry basket of clean clothes from him and set it on the floor in the hallway. “Let me show you something.”

  She led him outside and around the back of the cabin. Pointing at an old doghouse that had seen better days, she gave him a little push with her other hand. “Look inside.”

  He tilted his head but didn’t question her. Squatting down, he peered into the darkened interior. Craig laughed quietly and reached clear in the back, extracting a hissing and spitting malnourished cat.

  “It looks just like Frisky.” He held the feline away from his chest to keep out of the striking claws. “Geez, even the spots are the same.”

  “She showed up a couple weeks ago in the barn. Jack set a trap and took her in to be spayed. I didn’t expect him to bring her back, but he arrived home stating that you would have wanted him to keep the cat.” Chantilly crossed her arms and rocked back on her heels.

  “Jack doesn’t even like cats.” He placed the cat back at the entrance of the doghouse and chuckled as it scrambled to go back and hide.

  “I know.” She waited for Craig to turn around. “He did it for you. Even when you’re not here, you influence every decision he makes.”

  “I had no idea.” Craig ran his hands through his hair. “I worry that I’m a burden. I’ve tried to tell him that he doesn’t need to put me through law school. I can do that, it’ll just take longer, but I know I can do it.”

  She shook her head. “Not at all. He does it because he loves you and you are his family. That’s the way it should be, right?”

  He shrugged. “I guess.”

  She winked. “Of course it is, and as far as my dad and I are concerned. You’re part of our family now too. Jack’s been wonderful through…everything.”

  “Your dad…” Craig scrunched up his face. “He doesn’t have much time, does he? I mean, Jack’s filled me in, but just since I’ve arrived here I see a difference in the way he gets around.”

  “Yes. The doctor said each case is different and some people with ALS can last years and others have a much faster course of the disease. From what we know, Dad’s shown signs of the disease for the last year and I’m afraid once his muscles begin to deteriorate and give up the fight, it’s only a matter of time before his heart…”

  “Damn.” Craig squeezed her hand. “He’s a great man.”

  “Yes, he is.” Chantilly’s smile wobbled.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “Jack Grady, if you dare, I swear I’ll have Daddy fire your ass!” Chantilly’s back slammed against the outside wall of the barn in her retreat to get away from him.

  Head to toe covered in mud, Jack advanced toward her with his arms spread wide. His white teet
h were the only spot of clean on his body after Chantilly had tackled him in the mud and run away.

  “He won’t fire me.”

  She screamed and held her hands out to ward him off. “Then I’ll…I’ll…”

  “You’ll do what?” He pushed her hands to the side and pressed his body against hers. He chuckled as she opened and closed her mouth without coming up with another threat. “I’ll be damned. I’ve finally curbed your wild tongue into silence.”

  “I thought you loved what I can do with my tongue.” She caught her bottom lip between her teeth.

  His lips hovered over her mouth. She leaned her head back. The pressure of his leg between her thighs did a number on her insides. Her body melted against him.

  “Oh, I do, darlin’. I love everything ’bout you.” Keeping his lower body pressed against her, he leaned back enough to slip his hands over her wet, and now muddy, blouse. “I think you wear these tops with all their buttons just to drive me crazy.” His fingers fumbled over the tiny pearl beads. “I wanna see your naked body writhing under me.”

  She turned her head. “My family—”

  “Are all in the house out of sight.” He slid down and placed light kisses along her neck, her chest, between her breasts. “No one’s gonna bother us out here. We have the place to ourselves.”

  She mewed and held on to his shoulders to keep from sagging against him. “Hurry, Jack.” She tugged at his shirt. She wanted to feel his heat against her bare skin.

  He picked her up in his arms and carried her into the tack room without breaking the kiss on her neck. It wouldn’t surprise her a bit that he left another love bite marking her as his.

  Laying her down on the stack of blankets, he stripped off all his sodden clothes. He looked hot, sexy and adorable all at the same time. Her chest rose and fell quickly. Pleasure spread through her womanly bits and she sighed.

  He lay beside her, his hand wandering down her side, her stomach and centering at the top of her jeans. She wiggled. Her clothes had to go. Kicking her boots off, she lifted her hips. “Help me…please.”

  Jack had the button and zipper undone and her jeans off in no time. His gaze traveled from her bare breasts, down the length of her body. His fingers landed on her heated sex and she moaned deep in her throat.

  She captured his face in her hands and brought his lips to her mouth. Nibbling and caressing his full lower lip, she bucked under his attention. The pleasure she found with him filled parts of her body only he could touch.

  Gasping as he moved away from her mouth, her disappointment turned into delight when he settled his body between her legs. She smiled up into his face, placed her feet on the backs of his calves and arched her back.

  He slid into her wetness. “Chantilly—” he groaned, “—Lace.” His hips thrust back and forth. “This is where I wanna be.” Water trickled off his hat and landed on the shallow curve at the front of her neck. “Forever.”

  She raised her arms above her head. “Always.”

  Jack was everything she needed in a man. Strong, independent but with a quiet resolve coupled with gentleness. A genuine cowboy.

  Pleasure rocketed through her body. His gentle caress built the heat up inside her. Her lower stomach throbbed. Her sex clenched rhythmically as the blood rushed through her veins, taking her over the edge.

  “Sweet Jesus.” He plunged fully inside her. Holding himself still as the tremors racked his body. He lowered himself to his elbows putting more weight on her body. “You amaze me, darlin’.” His breath came in pants.

  “I love you so much.” She let her legs fall to the sides and wrapped her arms around his neck.

  Jack rolled off her and lay naked on his back. Chantilly turned to her side and propped her head on her hand. A satisfied smile curved her lips.

  “I’ve been thinking.” He turned his head to the side. He worked his lips together the way he did when he had something heavy on his mind.

  She propped herself up higher. “’Bout?”

  “Well, you’ve got this place and it’s been in your family for years. I’ve got my own ranch, and even though it doesn’t compare in size to your daddy’s place, I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished. I’ve put a lot of work into expanding, and there’s potential to earn a living off the land…” He paused and pulled down his brows.

  Chantilly sat up and pulled one of the saddle blankets off the pile to wrap around her shoulders. This wasn’t the kind of talk she wanted to have naked. She’d need strength to hear what he had to say.

  “Anyway, I’ve been thinking ’bout the way your dad set up this place for you and your sisters. That’s a helluva legacy to pass on.” He sat up. “Hang on.”

  Chantilly stared at him with her mouth open. He’d gotten up and proceeded to drag on his mud-encrusted clothes. He groaned and frowned as he slapped the wet shirt on his back. She couldn’t focus or catch her breath. Is he telling me he’s going back to his ranch and that he’s leaving the McDougal ranch?

  “I never imagined doing this with you naked under the blanket and me covered in mud.” He removed his cowboy hat.

  Her chest tightened. This wasn’t good. Jack never removed his hat unless he was sitting at the dinner table or sleeping. No, Jack. Please, don’t break my heart.

  Chantilly moved and sat up on her knees. She pulled the blanket tighter around her body in an attempt to keep the bad news away from her.

  Patting his pocket, he chuckled and shook his head. “I had this all planned out, but seeing you here right now and the way you fill me with love…” He bent down on one knee and loosened her hand that clutched the blanket to her.

  She let the blanket fall off her shoulders. His hand shook, and she glanced down. His thumb caressed the back of her hand. The contrast between his big, strong hand was apparent against her much smaller hand.

  “Chantilly Lace?” The low timbre of his voice jarred her out of her daze.

  She gazed up into his face.

  “Will you marry me, darlin’?” He lifted the corner of his mouth. “It doesn’t matter if you want to live here on your daddy’s ranch. I can let Craig have my place when he’s through with college and wants to settle down to practice law.” He laughed. “I’m just damn sure I never want to leave your side. I love working beside you, sleeping with you every night and looking forward to what tomorrow will bring with you.”

  He squeezed her hand. “I love you.”

  She lunged off the floor and wrapped her arms around his neck, sending him tumbling to the ground. “Yes. Yes. Yes. I’ll marry you.”

  Chapter Twenty

  The relaxed atmosphere out on the porch surrounded by her family gave Chantilly a warm, secure feeling. Nestled on Jack’s lap in one of the rockers, she half listened to Val explain to Bisette about her new plan to offer game night at the bar on Thursday nights to bring in customers.

  Margot sat beside Daddy’s wheelchair and adjusted the blanket around his legs to guard him against the cool autumn air. Summer ended fast with the first heavy rainfall, and any day they’d wake up to snow on the ground. Luckily, Jack and she had the cattle situated for colder weather and were ahead in their preparations for winter. They worked well together, much better than she ever imagined she’d work with another person.

  Stuart cleared his throat. “I’ve got…somethin’—” he coughed, “—to say.”

  Conversations stopped and all heads turned to the boss of the McDougal ranch. He spoke less every day, and more often than not, he stuck to yes and no answers. It wore him out and frustrated him to be losing the ability to speak his mind.

  No longer able to support his weight, he spent most of his time in a wheelchair. His hands still worked, but his strength and reflexes were diminishing. Chantilly sat up straighter and grabbed Jack’s hand.

  “The ranch.” He pulled a packet from under the blanket on his lap. His chin dipped. “Chantilly…” His hand shook as he held out the envelope.

  She stood up and stepped over to her da
d’s side. Taking thick manila pouch, she stared down at her name on the front. “What is it?”

  “The ranch.” Stuart reached for her hand. “It’s always…been yours.”

  She swallowed. A lump formed in her throat and she knelt beside the wheelchair and placed her head in Stuart’s lap. He stroked her hair as she fought to keep sobs from erupting.

  “The others…?” She couldn’t go on. Not once did she expect him to turn over the family home. She’d expected to keep it running and profitable, but not this. It was never suppose to happen this way. Not now when Stuart should have had another thirty years left in life.

  “Daddy’s already talked to us all, Chantilly.” Margot rubbed her back. “The ranch belongs to you. You’ve sweated, cried and bled for everything here. Daddy always planned to hand over the reins to you.”

  She sat up. Holding her dad’s face in her hands, she mouthed, thank you.

  He nodded. “Love you.” Moisture formed in his eyes. “Jack. You. Happy. Here.”

  Chantilly smiled through her tears. “Yes.”

  Jack wrapped his arms around her from behind. She leaned back against his chest, clutched his arms to the front of her and inhaled deeply through her nose before exhaling through her mouth in one burst.

  “I think this would be a good time to share our good news, darlin’,” he whispered in her ear. “Although, I suspect Stuart already knows what it is…”

  She raised her brows and gazed down at her dad.

  He winked. “Jack…talked to me.”

  Chantilly turned in Jack’s arms and buried her face in his chest. “You did?”

  His chest rose and fell under her cheek. “Damn right. I wouldn’t have asked without his permission.”

  “What’s going on?” Bisette moved closer.

  Florentine snorted. “Don’t act all innocent, Bisette. It was you who bet ten dollars that they’d be hitched before Christmas. We all knew it would end up this way. No two people have ever been so perfect together…well, ’cept Mom and Daddy.”

  Chantilly laughed. “I’m gonna marry Jack.”