Lassoing The Last Dance (Double Dutch Ranch; Love At First Sight Book 4)

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  Roxanne leaned against the door frame, spoke softly, and meant it, “You don’t owe me an explanation. I’m the one who walked away from you.”

  “Yes, I do. I’m not seeing anyone.”

  Roxanne turned and went back into the living room to leave the sight of his bed behind. Of course, there had to be an explanation. Would they ever make love in his bed?

  Randy came back to the living room. He dropped into the recliner and looked like a broken man. He turned up the brightness of the lamp and explained about Kim popping in and out whenever she damn well pleased.

  Roxanne was rather surprised to hear his story, and even more surprised he had shunned Kim. It wasn’t a secret there had been a time in his life, where he might’ve been in love with Kim, but as Roxanne had predicted, he didn’t do second chances. “I know you cared a lot about her in the past.”

  “True story, but those feelings all went away when I learned I wasn’t good enough for her. I’m still not in her eyes, but she doesn’t like being alone. Alcohol speaks for her.” Randy came to sit beside her. “I told her last night I was seeing someone.” He held his palm up. “She didn’t believe me. I had hoped you wouldn’t give up on us.”

  “So, there’s a chance she could come over again tonight?”

  Randy’s gaze shot to the ceiling. “I sure as hell hope not, but yeah, maybe. She’ll take a few days to sober up and feel better before hitting the bottle again. Sometimes I don’t see her for a month. I’ll take care of it if she does.”

  Roxanne glanced at the made-up couch. Tiredness crept over her. His days were longer and harder than hers. “I can take care of it for you. She’ll believe you then.”

  “Not a chance. Why don’t you get changed and sleep in my bed while I sit here and do what I do?”

  “No. I want to lie here and watch you do what you do.” She couldn’t prevent a little smile. Two things made her smile lately. Nora’s kids and Randy.

  Randy stood to give her a hand up. He grinned. “I can guarantee watching me will be boring.”

  I think not. She slipped her arms around his shoulders and took a step in, getting serious in the moment. “I’m sorry I had assumed—”

  “If a guy’s briefs fell out of your sheets, I might’ve reacted the same way.” He put his arms around her waist, leaned in to kiss her on the forehead. He attempted to leave, but she lifted her hand to the back of his head.

  “Kiss me, Randy.” She needed his lips against hers now.

  Again, he leaned forward and this time brushed his lips against her cheek where they lingered there for a moment.

  His breath against her skin and his warm body so close, scorched her insides, and a shocking discovery enlightened her—she wanted him sexually. She placed her hands on his face. Rising up, she pressed her lips against his, and kissed him lightly before backing away. She opened her eyes to find his upon her, a burning glow within his dazzling orbs.

  He rubbed his hand through his hair, then held his elbow while the opposite hand fisted against his mouth, and he muttered against it, “I’ve wanted this to happen all these past months. Don’t tempt me if you don’t mean it.”

  “I mean it,” she whispered.

  Without a hesitation, he clutched her shoulders and pressed his lips against hers in an intense kiss. His mouth was hot against hers, and she tasted his sweet surrender. Her heart skipped a beat or two as she kissed him back—hot, wet lips moving against wet, hot lips.

  Randy gingerly tugged on her bottom lip before his mouth moved a whisper away. He lifted her chin to stare into her eyes. “Yeah. You’re in there. I found you.”

  She acknowledged the shudder within, and she closed her eyes as he held her tight against his body. Expecting her words to be shaky when she said them, she did anyway. “I didn’t think I’d ever be with a man again, but I-I do want to be with you in all ways.”

  He whispered as he smoothed his hand over the back of her long hair, “Good. Call it done. And you know what, Rox? You’re going to be fine. Now, get into my bed.”

  A tremble radiated all the way down her body and back up, probably even curling her straightened hair. “I need to sit.”

  He held her arm as she sank down to the sofa, then he did the same. He sat close and held her. “Mmm. I’m glad my friends knew what was best for me.” She sighed and snuggled within his safe embrace.

  “Nora told me to make you tell me your story. She knew what was best for both of us.”

  “Hmm. She did, did she? What a friend.” What a great friend. Roxanne cuddled against his chest and smiled. There wasn’t a better place on this earth to be.

  Chapter 7

  An hour later, Randy lifted his eyes from the notebook he wrote in, and observed Roxanne as she slept. Her lips were slightly parted and he remembered the heat from her kiss on his mouth. The blanket covered her from the waist down as she lay on her side. He bet he was right about her not sleeping soundly. She had managed to move past his question without answering.

  The vision from his dream came to the surface. To photograph her the way he saw her in his dream—sitting on a stool nearly naked, covered with nothing but a sheer gown, excited him. His throat tightened at the thought of seeing her that way in person. An erection took precedence over any other logic, and he fought the urge to…touch her. He wanted her like crazy.

  She rolled to her back and the top button wasn’t closed on the pajama top, which left enough of her breasts exposed to make him gulp. Yeah, he’d caressed them before, even kissed them a couple times. This made sitting here watching harder to endure. It was important to take their time now, though he could crawl next to her and wrap himself around her real tight. Wouldn’t such a thing shock her?

  Again, his gaze cruised over her body. It had been her left foot, a general stirrup foot, but she could adapt to getting on from the off side of a horse. He’d get on a horse himself from the right side at times just to let the horse get used to be mounted that way. First chance he got, he’d prove to her she could ride. He picked up his phone, went outside, and dialed Tristan.

  He answered in a sleepy voice, “Yeah? Something wrong?”

  “Do you know where I can find Roxanne’s ex-husband?”

  “What? Randy? Man, I’m sleeping.”

  Randy checked the time. Shit. “Well, call me tomorrow after you find out. Okay? This is important.”

  “Dude, go to bed.”

  Down and defeated, he leaned against the hood of his truck after hanging up. Randy flexed his arm muscles. He peered at the clear sky, the mountain, the dirt at his feet. Grinding his teeth, he reflected on Roxanne’s ordeal with frustration. Heat flushed through his body. At which point would she be comfortable enough to remove the prosthetic in front of him? If she’d only known the horrible things he’d seen in Afghanistan—the wretched damage done to bodies.

  He went back inside, removed his boots, and entered the living room. Randy read over the poem he’d written, or tried to write.

  Sleep my love—sleep in my arms—where I’ll keep you safe from harm.

  Let your eyes close. Shhh, listen while the wind blows.

  Relax with me. Dream what only you can see.

  While I kiss your cheek, let the music lull you to sleep.

  Sleep while I caress your skin. I’ll touch you again and again.

  Let words go unsaid, and I’ll wait right here in bed.

  Sleep my love, until the dawn. When you awake, I won’t be gone…

  It needed more, but his muse wouldn’t accommodate him, again. He turned off the light, set his notebook on the table, and stood near the sofa for a moment. Her lips were beautiful with a natural pucker like they always waited for a kiss. Go to bed, man.

  Unable to help himself, he leaned over to put a kiss on her forehead. Good night, Roxanne. In a silent stride, he roamed through the house checking the doors, venturing toward his bedroom. He picked up Kim’s panties with two fingers pinched against the waistband and tossed them into the trash can
under the sink in the bathroom.

  ***

  The aroma of coffee drifted through her nose as she slowly came out of sleep, but there was another scent in the air. Her stomach grumbled. Then the throb in her lower extremity brought her fully awake. She winced but it was such a common occurrence that she hadn’t noticed until after the fact. Taking a deep breath, she rolled to her back and opened her eyes.

  “Mornin’.”

  She struggled for breath at the sound of his voice and snapped her eyes shut. “Good morning. How long have you been there?” The other scent was his shampoo or aftershave.

  “Not long. I’m waiting for the coffee to get done.” His words came out in his raspy morning voice. She liked it.

  She opened her eyes and turned her head toward him. Bloodshot eyes met her gaze. Maybe his hair had been finger combed but appeared messy, typical for him. “Tell me you didn’t sit there all night. You look tired.”

  “Uh uh. I lasted for an hour or more after you went to sleep but remained awake a long time.” He glanced to his notebook on the table.

  What was she doing here? An inner warmth surrounding her heart was her answer. “I slept good last night. Better than I have in a long time. It’s rare for me to sleep through without waking. You were right when you said I don’t sleep well.”

  “I’ll get us a cup of coffee.” He stood at the side of the sofa. Randy held out his hand to assist her before entering the kitchen.

  She took his offered hand to rise to a sitting position, but her legs were tangled in the sheet. He released her and attempted to pull it away, but she held his arm. “No. Don’t.”

  “Roxanne—”

  “I’m not ready to let you see yet.”

  “It isn’t necessary to hide your injury from me. It isn’t like I’ve never seen an amputee before.” He strode away to the kitchen.

  It’s necessary for me. Roxanne untwisted the sheet from around her legs and stood, making sure her prosthetic leg was still secure. “Dammit,” she muttered under her breath. She limped to the bathroom and flushed when finished. At the sink, she ran wet hands over her hair to catch stray ends, pushed it behind her ears, and rinsed her face. Roxanne stared into the oval mirror as water dripped from her chin into the blue and white marbled basin. “Now what?” she whispered while reaching for the towel.

  She slipped off the pajama bottoms, sat on the side of the white tub, and removed the components of her prosthesis down to the liner to examine what she could see of her lower leg. A lot of swelling occurred overnight. The liner was wet with sweat, so she dried it out the best she could.

  Last night she hadn’t thought about this morning, but she wasn’t sorry for staying. While sitting on the edge of the tub, Roxanne pulled a pant leg over the prosthetic then put it on, standing to lock the prosthetic in place, and she brought up her jeans. As much as she didn’t want to, she opened the door to call Randy.

  He set two cups on the coffee table and came to the door. “What’s wrong?”

  “Can I lean on you? My residual limb is a little sore.”

  “By all means.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and held her all the way back to the sofa. “Are you in pain this morning? I’ll get you an aspirin.”

  “I’m all right. Just coffee. I’m sorry for asking for your help.”

  “Nonsense.” He headed to the window to pull the drapes open and the beginning of daylight brought more light to the room. Upon returning, he handed her the coffee and took a seat beside her. She scooted closer until their legs touched.

  “Thanks. It’s just that…it makes me feel weak.” She smiled but twisted her head away.

  He tilted her face toward him. Adoration showed in his eyes. “You can lean on me anytime without feeling bad about it. I don’t only mean for getting to the couch.”

  “This kills me to ask. It’s embarrassing and not who I am.” Tears stung behind her eyes, but she was strong enough to hold them back. She sipped coffee for an excuse not to look his way.

  “Maybe it wasn’t who you used to be. So, what if it’s who you are now? People want to help you if you need it.”

  It was time to change the subject. Next, she’d be in his arms with him carrying her, if she didn’t quit complaining. “What time do you have to go to work?”

  “Whenever I get there. Want some breakfast?”

  What a sweet man. How could she do this to him, ask this of him? “No, I’ll get something at home. I need to leave when I finish this coffee. The carpet installers will be there today to do my bedrooms. Have you seen my phone?”

  “Nope.” Randy stood to get her purse from the table and handed it to her. “Let me know when you want to leave. I’ll get a bowl of cereal and get ready to head to Dane’s first this morning.”

  “All right.” She searched through her purse for her phone and found it, but there was a new message she had missed.” Roxanne checked her voice mail and sucked in a breath. “Randy?” There she went calling for him again.

  He came back into the room holding a bowl. “What’s up?”

  “I don’t believe it.” She steepled her hands in front of her with her phone between them. “I have a message from the detective working on my case. He wants to see me. They questioned someone and want me to do a lineup.” She let go of her phone and covered her face with her hands. “I didn’t see their faces. I can’t identify them.” Nausea turned her stomach at the memory of their voices. Their insulting and disgusting words. Their threats.

  “Maybe something about him will be familiar. You have to try.”

  “Don’t you understand? They blindfolded me. I didn’t see anything. I couldn’t even tell what kind of car ran over me that night.”

  He left the doorway and came into the room. “When do you have to be there?”

  She stared at him for a moment. Morning light brought out the strong features of his beautifully carved bone structure. Swallow and breathe, Rox. “Two days. That’s when my furniture arrives.”

  “I’m sure Nora will take care of it for you. Call the movers to tell them who will be there in your place.”

  “I can give her a money order for the balance.” Roxanne shook as she spoke and those damn tears wouldn’t stay hidden this time. “I don’t know what to feel. Joy. Fear? If it’s one or both of them, they’ll get away with it because I can’t—”

  “What’d I tell you about saying can’t?” Randy set his bowl down and dropped to her side. He took her hands.

  Sighing, she criticized, “Now you sound like my father and Brett.”

  “Good. I’ll go with you.”

  “No!”

  “You’re not going back to Broken Arrow alone. I’m going with you.”

  Her shoulders wouldn’t stop trembling. She shook her hands free from his. “You don’t owe me any favors.”

  “You think it’s a favor? You’re the one who came back. Make up your damn mind.” Randy’s gaze met hers, eye to eye. “I repeat, you’re the one—”

  “Well, it isn’t exactly in Broken Arrow. It happened outside of there.” Roxanne laid her head against the cushion and closed her eyes. She swiped at the tears on her cheeks. Having him there was important to her, but it made her feel like more of a burden. Worse, he’d know graphic details of that night.

  “Listen, I need to be there with you. I want to see the asshole who did this.”

  Being with Randy caused her to be vulnerable and open, because he was so tender and understanding. “I don’t know what kind of proof they have. How will any of us know if they have the right person? It’s been so long. Why now?”

  “Why now? Why the hell not now? You knew, hoped this day would come. Didn’t you? They must have DNA or something.”

  “You know I did.”

  “Leave it to me. Why don’t you call the detective back to find out what he knows? They have to have information of some kind, or they wouldn’t have him, or them, in a lineup. We can leave tomorrow night after work. Then we’ll be there to talk to the d
etective together the next day.”

  She looked out the window as daylight gradually brightened before her eyes. Letting Randy go for those long months had been a mistake. Where would they have been today if she hadn’t pushed him away? “Thank you. I’ll be happy to have you accompany me.” She scooted forward and placed her hand against his cheek. “I should’ve trusted that you’d deal with this situation.”

  “Never mind. We’ll make up the time. I might’ve done the same thing if it had been me.”

  “You won’t get in trouble for taking time off?”

  “What do you think I am, a little boy who has to ask for permission? I work for the best ranchers in the world. I’ll hire Davy to take over some of my obligations, especially at Dane’s ranch. He works there anyway, so it’ll be like double pay.”

  “Davy?”

  “He’s been around the Double Dutch since he was a kid, and works for Tristan on and off, but now he works mainly for Dane. You know him from over at Tristan’s. He’s going with Brenna’s little sister, Chloe. In fact, I believe they might be engaged.”

  Roxanne reached for her cup on the table. She observed the design and the name on the cup, which read Lawton Ranching Supplies. “Is this where Wade Emory works?”

  “Yup.”

  Hmm, must’ve been a new place. “I met Chloe one day when Brenna brought her over. She helped to unpack dishes. The diamond on her finger was hard to miss. What a pretty girl she is, too.”

  “She and Brenna both are, but they’ve been through their own hell, or so I’ve heard through the grapevine, which I try not to listen to. As long as it’s not about me, I don’t care.”

  Lifting her hands in front of her, she gave a half-ass chuckle. “I wonder what the town has to say about me now.”

  Randy drew her in and sat back with her cuddled close. “Most are talking about how rocking sexy you are. They’re happy to have a hometown-girl back where she belongs.”