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

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

“Hi, Aunt Roxanne,” Destiny said with a wave, but her eyes went to the prosthetic. It wasn’t the first time the girls had seen it. “Trista Rose likes to watch this one.”

  “You’re a good big sister, honey.” In the kitchen, she poured a cup of coffee and peered at Nora. “Have you heard any of the news about what’s going on?”

  Nora tossed the magazine aside and looked up. She held her cup out for a warmup. “You mean news about Kim and her cousins or whoever they are? Yeah, the whole town is talking about it. She’ll never be welcomed in Canyon Junction again if she ever gets out of jail. I hate that woman for what she’s done to you and Randy.”

  “Allegedly, as the sheriff would say. I can’t go into this today, Nora. It’s so nerve-racking to think of it myself. Her jealousy…the cruelty…” Roxanne put her cup down and held her head.

  “The guys will be busy all day while clearing away the remains of the old barn,” said Nora. “Judy and some of her friends are bringing breakfast for the guys as we speak. I’ll lend a hand with breakfast, but there’s nothing else we can do around here. Come to visit my mom with me and the girls. Use it as a distraction.”

  Roxanne sipped her coffee at the back window. The men out there worked on the old barn, separating salvageable from bad wood. Three stake bed trucks held brand new lumber. Who were all these men? “I need to go home, Nora. I’ve been here more than I’ve been home.”

  “Maybe it’s a sign.”

  Nora was right. Maybe it was, especially after what Randy mumbled in his sleep last night. “I might go with you.” She paused, tapping her index finger against her mug. “What do you think about Nate not being involved in my accident?”

  Nora came over to stand beside her. “I don’t know, hon. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear he had something to do with it, but it doesn’t look like it. I’m determined to find fault with him.”

  Roxanne lowered her eyes from the goings-on outside. “Should I apologize?”

  “To Nate? Hell no. Let him go back home, and you forget about him.”

  “I should apologize.”

  “Let it go, Roxy. He’s the one who should apologize for the harsh treatment you lived with while married. His jealousy was so uncalled for.” Nora touched her shoulder. “He’s still guilty of all the stuff he’s done to you, not to mention busting in here that night and decking Randy.”

  “I guess you’re right.” His life had been made a living hell after she named him as the one responsible, but Nora was right. “I’ll go outside to see what’s going on.”

  “I’ll check on the girls and be right out.” She wrapped her arm around Roxanne. “Please don’t go looking for Nate. Let life float on an even keel from now on.”

  Roxanne was proud of Nora for being a great mom. Her heart twisted just a little bit. “All right, but I do need to run home before going with you. I’m staying here this weekend, so after breakfast I’ll go pack a bag for a couple days.” This was the weekend Randy wanted to photograph her for the painting, but that was between the two of them. By nightfall he’d be worn out, and the lighting would be gone.

  “Judy’s here with the gals. Randy’s coming in. Come on girls, Grandma is here.”

  He met Nora at the door. “Hi. You’ll looking energetic this morning.”

  “Thanks. I look like Tristan wants me to look.” Nora chuckled. “Barefoot with a round belly.”

  Randy ambled over to Roxanne. He removed gloves then wiped his palms against his pants and took her hands. “You all right?”

  Again, he had read her mood. “Most of me is. I’ll just share her girls.”

  He embraced her. “You can adopt. We can adopt.”

  She was thunderstruck at his words. Another little hint? “I’m going to Tubac with Nora after breakfast.”

  He released her from his embrace, but held her arms to keep her close. “Yeah? Guess what? The sheriff called. They picked up the other cousin. I have to do a damn photo lineup. This is getting old, I tell ya.”

  “Today? I’ll stay—”

  “No, Leon didn’t have it set up yet. Besides, Zach’s going with me.”

  “Good. Tell him I said hello.”

  “Zach will be here in a couple minutes. Tell him hi yourself. Give him a thrill by acknowledging him. Tell him you think he’s a doll.” Randy snorted, and when he did, it broke open a cut on his lip. He pulled a rag from his back pocket to dab at it as if it was nothing. “Have fun today.”

  Roxanne placed her palms on his chest and kissed his cheek. “Come on, do you really want me flirting with your best friend?”

  “No.”

  She grinned. “You’re getting a new barn. How awesome for you.”

  He moved to the counter to pour another cup of coffee, sipped it. “It’ll be nice when it’s time to get both of my horses over here. Just think. One for both of us.” He gave a relaxed smile.

  Randy had charred smears on his t-shirt and a touch on his cheek. He smelled like he had the night of the fire—the memory still fresh in her mind. Roxanne loved to see him happy. It brightened up his whole face. “Don’t hurt yourself today. I might be forced to do another massage, and who knows where that could lead.”

  “Ouch, damn, I think I hurt my back.” He arched his back in a stretch, grinning so big again, that it had to hurt his face and everything else, according to the wince in his eyes.

  “You’re naughty.” She hooked a finger into a belt loop to pull him close and gave him a good swat on the rear with the other. “Let’s go get some food. You’ll need your energy.”

  He brought her arm around his and escorted her out the door. “I love you, Rox. I never want you to be hurt again.” After a kiss on the cheek, he left toward the back of the barn where most of the other ranchers worked in the shade of what remained of the building. He got their attention and swept his hand toward the tables. Judy rang a bell and motioned them all over.

  Roxanne took her spot in line beside Tristan. “Want some help?” she asked Destiny.

  “I’m going to see Grandma Wallace today. I hope she isn’t mean to Mom like she is sometimes.”

  Roxanne put her arm around Destiny and hugged her. “You’re getting so tall. I won’t let her be mean to your mom. Remember she’s getting better, and she did call your mom to invite you all. It’ll be okay, sweetie.”

  Tristan glanced over his shoulder, lowered his eyes to his daughter, and mouthed the words thank you to Roxanne.

  Roxanne smiled and glanced down the line of cowboys to where Randy stood waiting to grab a plate. “Look after Randy today, Tristan? He’s hurting, but he’ll never admit it to you guys. This is a wonderful thing y’all are doing for him.”

  He put his arm around Nora standing beside him. “No worries. We have it covered. He loves you, ya know.”

  She made eye contact with her hunk of man in the crowd and their eyes locked onto each other’s. “I’m in love with him, too. Thanks for whatever encouragement you two gave him about me.”

  “But I—”

  “I know you had something to do with getting us back together. Admit it. You both did.”

  Tristan touched the tip of his hat and nudged his wife’s shoulder while grinning at Roxanne. “Whatever you say, ma’am.”

  “Don’t argue with him, Roxy,” said Nora. “He’ll wear a frown all day knowing you’re right.”

  Chapter 17

  Roxanne and Randy waited in the exam room at her prosthetist office which held one exam table, a desk with a computer on it, and a wall rack with pamphlets. Her hands shook, but Randy took hold of them.

  “Settle down. I know what’s bothering you.”

  “It’s important for you to be here. What I don’t remember him saying about the new prosthetic, you will. There’s more to taking the new foot apart and making heel height adjustments.”

  Randy stepped in between her legs. “I’ve already seen everything there is to see. Remember I don’t sleep well at night. The sheet hasn’t always been over you.”


  “Cheater! That’s not fair.” She gave him a teasingly sweet smile.

  “Neither one of us care about it during sex. Why worry now? My eyes never left your bare breasts long enough to worry about an injured leg.”

  Roxanne smacked his arm. “Smart. Ass.” She grinned. “I knew you were a breast—”

  “Good morning,” Mike Porter said, entering the room.

  Randy winked at her then held his hand out to introduce himself, and he took a seat while Mike logged into the computer and brought up her files.

  “So,” said Mike, “this is the guy who wants you dancing, huh?”

  Well, it was a damn good thing he was after he gave it away. Randy grinned proudly and Roxanne lowered her eyes. “Yes, he is.”

  “We’re about to see dancing in heels happen, Roxanne.” He glanced at Randy’s feet then back to Roxanne. “If you want to wear cowboy boots, get a zipper sewn in for easy access in getting into it. Or wear a short boot with a zipper.”

  “Someone suggested I sew zippers into my pant leg for taking pants on and off. I haven’t yet. Before I cut up a good pair of Wrangler Jeans, what do you think?” She and Randy made eye contact with each other, and she gave a subtle smile, but on the inside, excitement made her ready to get up and run to the western store for a new pair of jeans and boots.

  “Whatever it takes to make your life easier.” Mike smiled.

  She took off the sheet from her lower body. Today she had changed into shorts when she had arrived.

  She took in a big breath. Viewing the new prosthetic, the flesh colored foam cover over the socket matched the flesh of her other leg. A low, wedge-heeled shoe was attached to the foot. Roxanne had brought the shoe with her to one of the in-between visits. She put the prosthetic on with a thinner stump sock to try it out first, and she pulled the matching heel from her tote bag to put on her other foot.

  Mike gave her a hand getting off the table, and she locked in the prosthetic. In an instant, she found herself standing in heels. Her gaze remained fixed on her feet. It’d been so long since she’d seen herself in heels. A quiver buzzed down her backbone. The foot looked nearly real. She lifted her gaze to Randy, who had a sincere look of pride in his eyes. If nothing else danced, her insides did. After a few practice walks between parallel bars, and examinations and adjustments by Mike, she went through the heel height mechanisms again.

  They made sure the prosthetic fit right, and then prepared to leave. Mike reiterated, “You’ll need a few more adjustments. You’re well aware of what it takes to wear a new prosthetic. See you next time.” He stood with a clipboard and pen in hand then left.

  She sat back on the exam table to remove the higher heels from both feet. She’d brought a flat classic white sneaker to wear home, so she made the adjustment on her own and inserted a small heel wedge into her shoes to give a little height, which made for a more comfortable step. Her heart swelled. She felt whole again. “Can you paint a design on this leg, honey? Like a tattoo?”

  He nodded. “Any time you’re ready.”

  “I’m wearing shorts home!” She tossed her tote bag strap over her shoulder, and they left the office at an easy pace. At the main exit, Randy went for the door, but a guy coming in rushed forward to hold it. Randy chuckled.

  “Why are you laughing?”

  He wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Didn’t you see the guy holding the door checking you out? He wanted you bad, woman.”

  “Oh, stop.” She yanked her sleeveless button-up top open. “If he looked at anything, it was my breasts in this tank under my blouse. A hot-blooded guy like you outta know how ogling works.”

  “I do! His gaze was all over your gorgeous face, those sparkling blue eyes, and hot body, not your legs. There’s a hell of a lot more to you, darlin’, than your breasts, though they are splendid.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled to herself as they strolled slowly to the truck. She had noticed the kind stranger checking her out. Roxanne’s gaze followed down her leg as she eyed her feet. Joy filled her up inside. With a dress, the leg would look decent—as decent as a fake leg could. Her world got a little bit brighter. Life’s pieces fell into place. They got in and pulled out of the parking lot. She stretched her arm across the seat and stuck her fingers into the hair across his collar.

  “I’m heading back to the JL Ranch today to do some work with one of Jake’s horses.”

  “So soon?”

  He rolled up one sleeve while his other hand remained on the steering wheel, and then he did the other. “I have to fill my new barn with supplies before I bring the horses over for good. More importantly, bills need to be paid.” Randy sighed. “By the way, I’m sorry I haven’t gotten around to photographing you yet.”

  “I understand. What time will you be over for dinner this evening. Brett and Dad are arriving around four.”

  “I’ll be there as close to five as I can.”

  Peering out the window as they drove past the condo where her dad lived, she consciously forced herself to relax. “I wonder where my dad will live when his lease expires. His place is getting a little high for his budget, he told me. Brett’s secretly been helping with bills without telling me. I’m worried.”

  “Move him in with you. You have plenty of room, and you’re barely there anyway. Show him how to do the paperwork on your business—”

  “I’m not at my own place because I’m with you too much. I barely sleep in my own bed anymore.”

  Randy turned down her street. “Too much?”

  “I’ll rephrase my statement and say so much.” He had been correct. She didn’t have a problem being with him. “If I don’t do my own paperwork and accounting, I might as well sit in a chair and read all day.”

  “Won’t you be practicing dance?”

  Practicing dance? In a trembling voice, she replied, “Yes, I’ll be practicing.” The paperwork would be a good job for her dad, give him purpose, and it’d earn him some extra money. “You’re a godsend.”

  “Sure.” He chuckled.

  ***

  Zach Bryson had returned nearly three weeks later and invited Roxanne and Randy to go on a trail ride with him. Randy told Roxanne the main reason Zach had asked, was so he didn’t get lost on his first day on his own. He was with a skilled guide, but Zach had been appointed to be the lead guide. The others—experienced riders for this particular trail ride—brought their saddled horses out of the barn and waited by the hitching post. “Ready for this?” asked Randy.

  “I’m excited. It’s been years since I’ve done this. I can’t believe Don is still running the business.” Removing her hand from the horse’s neck, she leaned closer to Randy. “He’s getting up in age and is older than my dad.”

  “That’s the reason Zach has the job. He convinced Don to enjoy some free time and he got the freaking job! He could talk a rattle snake out of striking.”

  “Good, he’ll be handy on this trip then!” Roxanne laughed. “How about a leg up, cowboy?” She grasped the mane and Randy boosted her up. He got on his horse and they rode out beside Zach and one of the other guides.

  After climbing higher, they stopped for a water break. He removed his hat and sopped up the sweat from his brow. Roxanne did the same. “How you holding up, cowgirl?”

  “Loving every minute. How much farther to the chuck wagon?”

  Randy removed her hat and shoved loose wisps of sweat-soaked hair behind her ears. “You look fantastic in this environment. A little sunglow on your cheeks, a twinkle in your eye. You belong here.”

  “You’re sweet. We both grew up here.” She lifted a water bottle to her lips, reminding him to drink up, too. Zach got the riders’ attention, and they were ready to hit the trail again.

  The trail narrowed ahead and they rode single file. Randy had no problem riding behind her. She wore a thin, yellow cotton shirt with long sleeves turned up a couple rolls. A camisole showed underneath, including the lace around the straps and edging. The shirttail was tucked into her tigh
t-fitting jeans. Her fine ass in each casual bounce in the saddle aroused him. Jeans fit well over the new prosthetic while the low-style boot she wore worked perfectly for a trail ride. Wavy hair was pulled away from her face, while the length bounced against her back.

  Weeks ago, and after dinner with her dad and cousin, he had pulled her dad aside to have a talk with him—a talk he’d never planned to have with a woman’s father. Roxanne had changed every thought he’d ever had about his future.

  “Hey, dude, pay attention!” Zach rode up to him in a clearing when the trail widened again. “You got a little close to the edge back there. Better focus.”

  Randy narrowed his eyes at him. “I’m focused on what needs to be focused on. No need to tell me how to ride these trails.”

  “Hell, Randy, I sure don’t want to call Search and Rescue out on my first day in charge, not to mention lose a horse and a paying customer if you fall off the edge.”

  “Hey, watch it. I’ve been riding these trails all my life.”

  Zach shoved his arm. “How am I doing? Did I sound convincing? Just practicing is all.”

  “Ding bat. Those pretty city ladies don’t want to hear about falling off the trail.” He chuckled then kicked his heels in to catch up with Roxanne riding up ahead beside another woman on the ride. A bit farther the chuck wagon waited with lunch. A huge canvas canopy covered tables and enough chairs for relaxing sat in a circle. Everyone tied up their horses and sought out shade where they could rest their weary, city asses.

  Roxanne pulled out a couple bottles of cold water from a silver cooler, handing Randy one. “Do you know what’s for lunch?”

  “You?” He twisted his cap off and took a long drink.

  She spit out water, laughing. “What’s with you?” He took her water and set his and hers on the ground near their gear. Holding her arm, he steadied her over the uneven ground out of earshot from the others. They walked off about twenty yards.

  “Look, I can’t be held responsible for what happens after riding behind you all this way.”

  “Ah, ha, I see how it goes.” Roxanne leaned in to him. “It has been a while.”