Cowboy Protector

by Patricia Rosemoor

  “Come with me!” he barked.

  Neil hung on to Annabeth as though she were fragile, even though he knew otherwise. She was strong and possibly the bravest woman he’d ever met. But even so, he could tell she’d come to the end of her line, at least for the moment.

  He wasn’t at his best himself. Compared to this, life on the ranch was a piece of cake.

  The officer was escorting them along the platform, when Annabeth grabbed Neil hard. He saw that she was looking down at the tracks.

  “Back!” the paramedic yelled before applying paddles to the downed man’s chest.

  Nickels’s body jerked as it had upon hitting the third rail, and Annabeth made a strangled sound at the back of her throat as if she was about to throw up.

  Thankfully, several more uniformed cops opened a path and they were led into a small station office where Detective Dan Wexler waited.

  “Clever woman, using the cell phone to alert me,” Wexler said to Annabeth. “Are you sure you don’t want to join the force?”

  “If I ever even hear about a robbery or hostage situation or a mugging, it will be too soon,” she said, finally extricating herself from Neil’s grasp. “As for the cell phone…I’m afraid it’s history. Once I get my rent paid, I’ll pay you back, I promise.”

  Wexler waved the suggestion away. “I’m just happy you’re alive.”

  “Which Nickels may not be,” Annabeth said again, voice ripe with worry. “What happens now?”

  Wexler whipped out his notebook. “Now you tell me exactly what happened and don’t leave anything out.”

  They’d barely begun when his cell phone rang and he set the notebook down to answer.

  “Wexler here.” After listening for a moment, he said, “Thanks.” He looked from Neil to Annabeth. “They got him. Nickels is alive.”

  “Thank God,” Annabeth whispered.

  “And when he wakes up, I suspect he’ll be ready to make a deal. If Salvador Lujan was the brains behind the robbery, we’ll squeeze it out of Nickels.”

  And in the meantime, Neil realized, they weren’t clear of danger yet.

  “THANK GOD HE’S not dead,” Annabeth said for at least the tenth time as they finally got back to her place.

  They hadn’t beaten dawn by much, Neil realized. It was nearly four in the morning and he was exhausted. He couldn’t even imagine what she must be feeling.

  “It’s over,” he said, knowing that was an exaggeration. “You saved the day. You’re a heroine.”

  Her expression serious as she gazed into his eyes, Annabeth whispered, “I was desperate, Neil. I was afraid I was going to lose you.”

  He brushed wisps of hair from her cheek. “And you did what you had to.”

  As had he. Kicking Nickels when he was off balance had almost plunged the thief to his death, something Neil didn’t want to think about. But he didn’t have to, thanks to quick work—both Wexler’s and the paramedics’.

  Kevin “Nickels” Anderson would live another day to go to trial. Once they got his real name, Wexler had run a check on him and learned that the bastard had a rap sheet that went back more than a decade—mostly petty thefts and assault. No surprise to any of them.

  Nickels had still been unconscious when he’d been carried off the tracks on a stretcher, so no one knew exactly when he would be in shape to talk.

  “This feels weird, not having anything to worry about, no reason to look over my shoulder,” Annabeth said. “Is it really over?”

  Neil took her in his arms and stroked the fine hair now loose around her shoulders, but still she seemed tense. He rubbed his mouth against her forehead and murmured, “What’s wrong?”

  “Just thinking. I can’t seem to stop. I was remembering how surprised Nickels seemed that Vega was dead.”

  “Maybe he didn’t kill Vega.”

  “Then who? Lujan?”

  “Wexler promised to take care of it.”

  “He can question Lujan again all he wants,” she went on, “but without proof…”

  “He’ll get it.”

  “And if he doesn’t? What if Lujan comes after us himself? He’s threatened me enough times.”

  “Wexler’s a good cop,” Neil reminded her. “He thinks he can make a deal with Nickels. He’s come through for us and I trust him to keep his word. So, can we not worry about the alderman for tonight?”

  Annabeth nodded and said, “Tonight? It’s already morning, you know.”

  “An even better reason to loosen up or we won’t get any sleep.”

  “Sleep?” she murmured. “Is that what you want?”

  With Annabeth in his arms, sleep was the last thing on Neil’s mind. Now that she was safe, a weight had been lifted from his soul. He wanted to celebrate. He had enough reasons. Her coming out of this thing unharmed. His love for her. His Grandmother Moira’s hopes for him come true.

  At last, he believed in The McKenna Legacy.

  The powerful connection he’d felt every time that he’d touched Annabeth should have convinced him. Skelly and the rest of his family had been right all along.

  “Well?” Annabeth asked a bit breathlessly. “I’m waiting for an answer.”

  “All right, then. I’d rather do this.”

  Neil kissed her.

  Gently.

  Thoroughly.

  Telling her with every beat of his heart how very much she meant to him.

  ANNABETH SIGHED and let herself be swept away. Any doubts could wait for another day. She wanted this. Wanted Neil. Thank God he was still alive to be had.

  That Nickels had almost killed him had made her face how very deep her feelings for this man ran.

  “Make love to me,” she whispered.

  Love me, her heart silently urged his.

  In an instant, Neil was stripping pillows from the couch and tossing them to the floor. But Annabeth was too anxious to wait for a bed to be made up. She launched herself at Neil and together they fell back, the pillows cushioning their fall.

  “In a hurry, are you?” he asked, looking up into her face.

  Straddling him, she said, “I’ve been waiting my whole life for you.”

  Neil grinned and kissed her lightly. Annabeth laughed. She’d forgotten what it was like to laugh like this. To feel happy. To feel loved.

  At least she thought Neil loved her.

  But if he didn’t…she wanted this time with him anyway.

  The next kiss plunged her into paradise. The aching, writhing passion of something just out of reach taunted her even as did Neil’s hands.

  His fingers brushed her breasts, smoothed her waist, trailed down her belly until she was fluid with wanting him. Warmth pooled between her thighs and she undulated against the hard length protected by heavy denim until he groaned and slipped a hand between them.

  Annabeth realized that Neil was unfastening his jeans and letting loose his erection.

  Sighing into his mouth, she found and stroked his hot flesh as he unzipped her trousers and slid them down to her hips. She broke the kiss and raised herself to remove the garment, but he wouldn’t let her move away, merely slid them down her thighs and pulled her back over him.

  Startled, Annabeth stared into Neil’s face. Tension had hardened it and his eyes glowed with amber depths. He needed her. Now. He couldn’t wait.

  She didn’t want to.

  Hot and wet and ready, she mounted him despite their tangle of clothes. She slid down him with agonizing slowness and only hoped he wouldn’t come too soon.

  They were both breathing hard and Annabeth waited for a moment for their pulses to settle.

  Then she began to rock, and he slipped his hands up under her T-shirt. He explored her breasts. Her nipples lengthened and he tugged at them until she felt tension stretch between the turgid flesh there and the wet flesh below.

  She raised her hips higher, sank them deeper.

  He unhooked her bra and gathered all of her full flesh into his hands.

  “Now,” he whisp
ered, using a pulsing rhythm on her breasts to urge her on.

  Annabeth rode Neil in a fury of passion.

  They came together, as she knew they would.

  A memory that she would hold close.

  Forever.

  No matter what followed.

  ANNABETH WAS on the midway getting a late lunch/early dinner the next day when Peter Telek stepped up next to her at the booth that sold all-American fast food and suggested they share a table. Agreeable, she ordered a burger and fries to his slice of stuffed pizza. Then they took their trays to one of the picnic tables under the trees.

  A strong breeze whipped over them, bringing fine spray from Buckingham Fountain, which was half a block away. Annabeth closed her eyes for a moment and sighed. A cold front had swept through the city and the weather was summer-beautiful.

  She took a bite of her burger.

  Munching on his pizza, the old Indian stared at her.

  “Did I get mustard on me somewhere?”

  He shook his head. “How can you seem so happy when you are so bruised?”

  Suddenly self-conscious, Annabeth set down her burger and touched her face. “I didn’t realize it showed.”

  “Sometimes old eyes see through things when young eyes can’t.” He took a sip of his soda. “And old ears catch gossip on the wind.”

  Now she understood. He wasn’t being literal. “You heard about last night.”

  “Only that the last thief was caught, and that you were involved.”

  “Me and Neil.”

  “He came after you?”

  She nodded. “Nickels—actually, his real name is Kevin Anderson—followed us to the elevated station. He grabbed me and made me go with him, but Neil came after us and stopped him. The fight ended when Nickels fell to the tracks.”

  Telek seemed strangely intent when he asked, “But he didn’t die?”

  “No, and as far as I know, he hasn’t regained consciousness, either. But when he does…well, hopefully, we’ll find out whether or not the thieves had an inside connection.”

  “I see,” he said thoughtfully. “Then it isn’t over.”

  A movement to one side caught her eye and she glanced over to find her boss standing a few feet away. He seemed more serious than usual.

  “Lloyd?”

  “Annabeth, honey, I was looking for you.” He held out an envelope and she noticed that his arm was on the mend. “I wanted to give this to you. I cut you another check like I promised.”

  Taking it from him, she cried, “Lloyd, I could kiss you!”

  “Trying to get me into trouble?” he asked, punching at his glasses.

  “Trouble?” she echoed.

  “With your boyfriend, there. He’s looking for you.”

  She followed his outstretched arm to find Neil heading their way. Something inside her lit as bright as any fireworks display. Just seeing Neil made her feel good. He stopped right next to her.

  “Wainwright. Telek.” Then Neil looked at her and murmured, “Hey, Sunshine.”

  While Neil didn’t kiss her, he looked as if he wanted to. Instead, he touched the side of her face to smooth back some hair. A thrill shot through Annabeth.

  “Hey,” she said softly and patted the bench next to her.

  Neil slid in. “I spoke to Wexler.”

  “Nickels came around?” she asked.

  “Afraid not. And Wexler’s conversation with Lujan went nowhere. He said he’s looking further into the alderman’s background.”

  Telek asked, “What does he hope to find?”

  “Some connection to the thieves, I guess. Or maybe just bad publicity—something shady in the alderman’s past that he can sink his investigative teeth into. He’s convinced more than ever that an insider was involved.”

  “Maybe when Nickels comes to, he’ll finger Lujan,” Annabeth said.

  “Good thing he didn’t die, then.” Telek concentrated on his pizza.

  The possibility that Nickels could still die put a pall over the conversation, Annabeth noticed.

  “It’s almost time for me to get going, and I haven’t eaten anything,” Neil said.

  “You can have some of my burger,” she offered.

  “Thanks, Sunshine, but I’ll get my own.”

  As Neil rose, Lloyd said, “Looks like you have a shot at part of that series purse.”

  “I hope so. It’ll help me pay off these city parking tickets.”

  “You got your truck back in one piece, then?” Annabeth asked.

  “Without a scratch. Just a lighter wallet.” Neil looked back to Lloyd. “I understand you were a pretty proficient roper yourself in your day.”

  “You been looking into my background?” Lloyd asked so quietly that Annabeth looked up.

  Neil said, “Just keeping my ears open in the arena, Wainwright. When they get bored, the boys do like to talk.”

  Lloyd grunted. “It’s been a while since I competed, but I can still sit a fast horse as good as the next man.”

  “I don’t doubt you can.”

  Annabeth wondered if she was imagining it or if Neil and Lloyd disliked each other. She didn’t really want to know. She liked her boss and he certainly had come through for her with that replacement paycheck. Now she could repay Neil for the rent money.

  He and Telek left the table to get back to work as Neil returned with his food.

  The newness of their closer relationship left Annabeth feeling a little awkward, but as usual, Neil put her at ease.

  “Skelly drove me to get my truck this morning,” Neil told her. “He said to say hi.”

  “Did he?”

  “He likes you. He thinks you’re right for me.”

  “What about you?” she asked lightly. “What do you think?”

  “I like you, too.”

  She’d meant the second part—whether or not she was right for him, but either Neil didn’t realize it, or he was ignoring the fact. Though she tried to relax, take things one step at a time, his past comparisons of her to his sister and the disapproval that involved niggled at the back of her mind.

  Still, she put on a good face. What did she expect? Overnight commitment because they’d explored their desires for one another? He had a whole other life waiting for him.

  After they’d finished their meal, they walked to the back side of the arena together. Even now it was starting to fill with an enthusiastic, noisy audience.

  “Wish me luck?” Neil murmured.

  “Come here, cowboy.”

  Annabeth grabbed handfuls of his shirt and pulled him close so that she could show him.

  Their kisses had changed somehow. Rather than being charged and hungry, they were more tender. Deeper.

  Or maybe she was just being more emotional.

  Ending the kiss, she whispered, “For luck.”

  “I’m starting to think that I’m the luckiest man on earth. With inspiration like that, I don’t see how I could lose. Just so you know, I’m dedicating tonight’s ride to you.”

  “Hmm, if you win, does that mean we split the purse?”

  “Only if you sweet-talk me into it later.” Neil grinned as he backed off. “And I’ll surely enjoy your trying.” He took one long look around, saying, “You be careful, Annabeth. Don’t let down your guard just yet.”

  “Be safe yourself, Neil.”

  The exchange lifted Annabeth’s mood considerably. While she kept an eye out for Lujan or further trouble, she couldn’t help but be lulled into believing that her life had taken a turn for the better.

  THE TELEPHONE shrilled Neil awake. Annabeth continued to breathe deeply, continued to sleep, so he quickly rose from the sofa bed and snatched up the receiver by the third ring.

  “Hello.”

  “Mr. Farrell? Wexler here.”

  Neil looked at the kitchen clock. It was already after ten in the morning, but they’d barely slept. Once with Annabeth had not been enough. Neil didn’t know if enough was possible where she was concerned.

&nb
sp; Wiping the sleep from his eyes, he muttered, “What can I do for you, Detective?”

  “Nothing at the moment. I, uh, have some bad news and thought you would want to know right away.”

  “About Lujan?”

  “About our friend Nickels. He died in the early-morning hours without ever regaining consciousness.”

  Neil’s heart sank. He’d been the one who had sent Nickels sailing over the railing to his death. His fault that a man was dead. No matter that Nickels would have killed them both, this would be on his conscience forever.

  Sick inside, he asked, “That it?”

  “For now. There will be an investigation, but I’m sure everything will work out all right. In the meantime, I have to ask you not to leave town until this is all settled.”

  “I wasn’t planning on going anywhere just yet.”

  “Good. Good.”

  Neil hung up, cursing. An investigation. He cursed some more.

  “What?”

  He turned around to see Annabeth sitting up, long blond hair flowing over her naked breasts. She had that look of a woman well loved. Of one who might be in the mood for more. The enticing thought should be enough to set him off again, but it didn’t.

  “It’s Nickels…he’s…”

  He didn’t have to say more. From the way her eyes went round, she understood.

  “If only I hadn’t let myself get so involved in the first place,” Neil muttered, “this never would have happened.”

  The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. He regretted killing a man, regretted not letting the police handle it as he’d known he should have. He didn’t regret making love to Annabeth. Or loving her, for that matter. But he could see from her horrified expression that she wasn’t separating one from the other.

  “Annabeth—”

  Naked, she stood and walked into the bathroom without saying a word to him.

  Not knowing what to do, Neil stared at the door until the shower drummed against his thoughts, effectively obliterating them. At a loss, he picked up his jeans from the floor, pulled them on and made a pot of coffee.

  Nearly a half hour later, when Annabeth emerged fully dressed, Neil had downed four cups and worried himself into a state. He decided to try again.