“Ya think!” He rolled his eyes and snickered. “We’re having a big old T-bone and the fixings. Can you handle cowboy food?”
“I’m starved. This is so much fun. The panoramic views are breathtaking. Remind me to thank Zach for asking us along.”
He observed the sand and rock landscape dotted with tall saguaros, barrel cacti, prickly pear, and jumping chollas. Birds cawed. A soft breeze whistled. People moving around them stepped on stones, displacing the sand. A bright streak of light flashed as the sun winked off a piece of broken glass out afar. The smell of his own sweat and aftershave floated around him. Grit lingered on his tongue while a salty taste coated his dry lips. This was home.
“The sky’s so blue—as blue as what’s in your paintings.”
She amazed him. Curiosity was one thing he had loved about her. The fact she wanted to know everything she could know was kind of cute. He could imagine it getting her into trouble at times. “The color in the painting is so bright because it is the color of the sky, not the other way around, darlin’.”
“I know.” She squinted to look far off.
Her smile made him happy inside. Happy enough to give her the world and everything in it. He truly loved her.
“Ah, hey, R-Rox…Roxanne…” Swallowing became more difficult. Words had come out mumbled and jumbled instead of clearly. She lifted her questioning eyes to his, but he gulped. Love lingered in her shaded orbs. He brought her into his arms, not caring the other riders walked up near to them, themselves viewing the distant desert and mountains. Their hands sweated while holding each other’s. He tugged on her hand and they went out a little farther.
Her gaze flicked away but back to his when he squeezed her hand. I’m in love with you, Roxanne.
She pointed backward. “Zach is waving us over.”
No one else noticed him, either. A harmonica played in the distance, and others turned their gazes to the man playing near the table where food smells permeated the immediate area. Others, like them, remained where they were looking at the landscape, but in a moment, they’d be looking at him. Here it comes. He dropped to one knee.
Roxanne gasped. “Randy! What are you doing?”
He’d passed the going back point, so he pulled the diamond ring out of his pocket. All eyes went to them now. Zach had come over, too, and Randy spotted him out of the corner of his eye.
“I’ll be damned.” Zach laughed.
Oh, shit. Don’t flub up now, cowboy, because there will be witnesses. His hands were so sweaty, he prayed not to drop the ring and lose it in the sand never to be found again.
“Randy?” she asked again in a soft voice.
He cleared his throat then took a deep breath. Shrugged to loosen up. The grit below his knee dug in. He licked his lips. “I’m trying to ask you to marry me.”
He flicked his gaze to the ground before lifting his eyes to her again, shoved his hat back. “Roxanne Connor.” He chuckled. “You know what’s coming. Will you marry this hardheaded, weatherworn cowboy?”
Her hands immediately shot to her cheeks, and her gaze went to the right, the left, back to his. The guy playing the harmonica came closer, but switched to a slow tune you’d expect to hear on a long moonlit trail ride.
“So, this is what you were up to with the sweet talk?” Roxanne squeezed his damp hand.
“Mainly because I love you like crazy.” Gulping again, he needed a drink of water. Had his throat ever been this dry? “Will you be my wife, Roxanne? Marry me.” A moment’s more hesitation, and he’d be the hell out of there.
Her face brightened as if she stood in the glow of sunset, but instead, it was from a smile. She placed her hands on his shoulders. “Of course, I will! I’ll be happy to marry you, Randy.”
Everyone around them clapped, which brought him back to where he was, while acknowledging how many strangers witnessed this. Pride filled his heart. He glanced at the clapping spectators. Randy stood and pulled Roxanne into his arms and kissed her like a crazy man might do in an old black and white love story. He closed his eyes and held her tight for more than a minute before he took a big step back. “This calls for a toast.” Too bad there was nothing nearby to toast with.
A guy from the chuck wagon ran over to them with two bottles of iced tea. “This here will work for a couple love birds.”
Randy twisted the top off one and handed it to Roxanne, then uncapped his own. He held it up against hers. “To our future?”
Her smile heated his bones as she tapped her bottle against his. “To us! My gawd.”
“Give your woman another kiss in front of everybody. Only you would do this, Randy.” Zach laughed and when he did the crowd joined in. Cook clanged the triangle outside the chuck wagon, and he screamed “yeehaw!”
Randy cupped her face and kissed her. Her return kiss got as wild as the environment around them. She slipped her tongue between his lips, making his head swim, or maybe it was the desert heat. More than likely it was the woman in his arms—the future Mrs. Drake.
“I’m starved. The rest is up to you.” Zach nudged his arm, strode off toward the tables, and peered over his shoulder. “Come on. We have to get home before dark.” He winked.
“He’s bossy, huh?” asked Roxanne. She faced him and smiled.
“Zach’s making a good impression and is doing a damn good job at it.” He encircled her waist and drew her close on the way down the gentle hillside. Randy removed his hat and tossed it into the air, then removed hers, and tossed it even higher. They came to the ground one on top of the other. Randy slapped his thigh. “Sounds good to me!”
“You’re not only hardheaded but sexy too. My ass is sorer than my leg,” she said rubbing her rear with one hand.
“Now who gets a massage tonight? This is going to be good.”
“Oh, I will need a long massage. Thank you in advance.”
She had pulled out her phone. A smile remained on her face the whole time her fingers sailed over the phone’s keyboard. His heart pounded a little bit harder. She might have told the world she had become engaged in the wilderness.
Her lips formed into a pout. “Drats. Sporadic service.”
Her message never went through. “Call them now on Zach’s phone, but only if you want the whole crew to be waiting at our ranch to congratulate us.”
“You’re right. I’ll try to wait until we get home.”
***
On the return home, Tristan called to ask Randy to stop by. They went home to change clothes first. The way Roxanne kept holding her hand up to the setting sun to view her ring sparkling, made his day. Why he had decided to propose on a dusty, hot trail ride, he had no inkling. Nothing more than it felt right. How could he have wished for anything different when she’d said yes?
Ten minutes later, Roxanne’s voice came out in a squeal. “This ring is exquisite!” She laid her hand on his shoulder and tilted her head toward him. Her hair falling to the side was sexy to him.
“The jeweler held it up and said this one produced more brilliance than another I looked at.” He squeezed her hand lying across his shoulder. “I said, well, Roxanne produces a whole lot of brilliance when she walks into a room…” Randy stared straight ahead. What a stupid thing to say to a woman out loud. Sometimes he needed to keep his mouth shut.
“You didn’t! What an old softie you are.”
Randy sighed internally. He pulled down the Double Dutch road and turned left near the barn to follow the road around to Tristan and Nora’s. He sat a moment after releasing the clutch and stared out the window at nothing in particular. She opened her door and they both got out.
Still checking out her ring, Roxanne grinned at him. “What did Tristan want?”
“He didn’t say. Quit ogling your ring and come closer.” He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and stared into her eyes under the velvety dusk. “The day you strutted down to the barn a couple years ago, I knew you were the one.”
“Before you knew I was an old lady?” She
snickered.
“You’re young at heart now that you allow yourself to be free again.”
She met his lips with the same urgency as he had. Her arms went around him, and the kiss went on. Life finally made sense. He drew back. “We gotta go inside before I skip this and take you home.” Randy took her arms from around him before his body got totally out of control. She knew how to kiss him the right way to make his head spin.
“More lovin’ craziness going on inside your head?”
“Honey, I don’t know about my head, but it is inside my pants.” At that moment, Tristan opened the front door to his magnificent adobe home and motioned them inside. Randy took a big breath before stepping forward. “Do you need your crutches?”
“I’m fine. This is a good leg. I love it.”
The old Roxanne made her appearance more often these days. Tristan had walked back inside and closed the door. Randy did a couple knocks before walking into a celebration. “What the hell is this?”
Dane stood on the other side of the entrance door with Gracelyn and his oldest brother. The kids were playing with toys on the floor off to the side. Zach walked out the doorway from the kitchen and into the great room where everyone congregated. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”
Randy took her arm and escorted her more into the room. “Thanks, Zachary,” he chided.
Mrs. Carlson came out from the direction of the family room. Martyn lumbered in behind. “Roxanne, listen. It’s up to you, but I’ll be more than happy to throw y’all an engagement party, or even a rehearsal dinner celebration. Whichever you choose, unless you both have other ideas. You’re like a son to me, Randy Drake.”
“Well,” said Roxanne. “We haven’t had time to talk yet. It happened so fast.” She broke free from Randy and hugged Nora. “I can’t even think, I’m still so shocked.”
Randy nodded to his buddy. “I’m glad you were there, you old horse wrangler. The job fits you. Now you have something to talk about on the overnight trail rides.”
“I suppose.” Zach shrugged. “It sure isn’t my career job.”
Roxanne and Randy were directed to the kitchen then ushered out to the back patio. White lights were strung around the sitting area where cushioned patio furniture in a teal blue color sat out for socializing. “Snacks are nearly ready,” said Nora. “Sit a spell while we finish up. Y’all have been out in the sun all day.”
Randy pulled out a chair for her at the glass table, then he sat down. Everyone went about doing what they had to do. “What do you think about an engagement party? The Carlsons do know how to put on a party.”
“It’ll be marvelous. You’re so respected by them, honey. There’s many things about you to love. You’re a gentle soul with a big heart, but rough and weatherworn on the outside.” Roxanne nudged him. “We never did get around to the photographs.”
He brushed back a tangled mass of hair from his face. They both had hat hair from sweating all day, but she also had a sunburned nose and cheeks. “Soon.” Randy pictured her wearing the gown. “Before I do anything tomorrow, I’ll take the pictures. Let’s do the photos in my new barn—”
“In my gown in the barn? What if someone comes around? I knew I should’ve gotten flannel.”
“Let them dare! I’ll have the photos to observe while painting unless you want to spend hours sitting on a hard stool looking about as sexy as possible. Where the hell’s the beer?” He rose from the chair and kissed Roxanne on the back of the neck. “Want one?”
She stood. “It’ll be delicious after all that heat. Whatever you have. I need to go to the bathroom to make some adjustments to my leg.”
Randy moved in with his head inclined an inch away from her lips. He lowered his eyes to hers. Their gaze held like glue. He liked when she fisted his shirt to pull him in.
Roxanne nodded. “I wouldn’t mind posing while you paint.” She stepped in until their bodies were pressed against each other’s.
Yeah, exactly what he needed about now, but not on Tristan’s patio. Damn her! He sank into her body as they embraced, and he kissed her hard, more for him instead of her. Now, he found himself as hard as the kiss under the stars.
“Hey, food’s ready. Come fix…”
It sounded like Nora at the door, but Randy’s eyes remained closed as he kissed her. Their lips barely parted, but he spoke, “We’re on our way.” He sure as hell was on his way, and it wasn’t to the kitchen.
Chapter 18
Morning shadows abounded as sunlight beamed through the barn windows and aimlessly streamed in through the opened door in the loft. Randy had positioned the stool amid the sunlight with a clean stall behind them for the background. He spread out a thin layer of straw and sawdust for effect, he had said.
“I’ll bring the horses over after I pick up a load of hay and other feed. Otherwise the stalls and supplies are ready.” His smile flashed with pride.
She stood with a silk, pale cream robe pulled tight around her. Roxanne wore the sexy see-through gown beneath. She had donned makeup and fixed her hair to hang loose with a little wave.
“Take it off.” Randy waited with his legs apart, hands relaxed against his waist, and licked his lips. He tossed his hat and somehow ringed the peg on the stall.
“Lucky toss.” She faced him. Her hands trembled at the tie on the robe from both nerves and excitement. “Are you sure we’re doing this in the barn?”
He picked up his camera. “Take it off.”
Roxanne untied the belt to let the ties fall and the robe to come open. She peered down at herself knowing she’d be on display later when the image had been painted, but she smiled. He already began clicking. She removed the robe. Randy took it and laid it over the new stall door.
“Man alive, woman!” He turned the camera vertically to get a full-length shot before coming toward her. “Come on.” She got on the stool.
Randy asked her to turn sideways more with her back to him instead of facing him. He backed up and held up the camera, then clicked while he instructed her how he wanted her to pose. “Twist around a little. Look at me.”
Roxanne turned her head to look at him.
“Yeah.” He came over again. This time, he slowly slid the strap off her shoulder and kissed the skin where the strap had been. Chills covered her body in a rash of goosebumps. Her nipples tingled and hardened against the thin material. It wasn’t long before his fingers discovered that.
He gave a throaty chuckle while pulling up a bit of the material from the hem of her gown, which hung low over the stool. “Hold this up so it isn’t so long. Damn, that’s sexy!” He licked his lips again while staring at her with a bold and sensual look in his eyes.
She clenched the sheer material to hold it against her thigh, yet checked to see if her bare prosthetic foot showed. It didn’t, but her toenails looked pretty with red polish.
Her gaze followed his lean frame back to his spot. His hair hung loose and long today. She wasn’t the only sexy person in the barn this morning. A quiver overtook her when he faced her. His gaze lowered slowly over her frame again. Had he known a smile crept over his face as he ogled her? It must’ve matched hers while appraising him in dark jeans and a black t-shirt that fit snug against his upper body. Damn, but he was hot in this setting. She’d like to get a hold of his camera.
Randy came over again. He brushed hair aside to place a soft kiss against her neck. Chills shot down her backbone but turned to heat by time they settled in her center. She shifted on the stool. Still holding the gown up, she wrapped her other hand around his neck, tilting her head for a kiss. “I’m excited to be doing this for you. Kiss me, cowboy.”
Randy set his camera down and held her face between his hands, his tender lips touching hers, but they soon turned hungry. He gave her the kiss she wanted—aggressive and hot. The sexy between them was about to knock her off the stool. Her body trembled. “I want you. I mean I really want you right now.”
His fingers clenched up her hair at the back, and h
is lips trailed to her ear. “Let’s get this done, baby, before we get any more distracted.” He cupped her face again and peered into her eyes with full sincerity in his gaze. “Don’t you think I want you, too, while you’re sitting here dressed like this? We’ll never get this done if we stop now.” He backed away and picked up his camera. He lifted the camera, but he lowered his eyes and checked out her pose yet again. His throat constricted, and he gulped out, “Let’s do this.”
Her eyelashes fluttered, and she lowered her eyes. Self-assuredness swept over her, sitting here exposed to him like this. He moved around her. The shutter clicked for different shots. She smiled.
Moving to the side again, he clicked then lowered the camera. In an excited voice, he mumbled a little above a whisper, “That’s it. Perfect.” He brought the camera over to show her the last one.
She had to admit, the photo had done her justice. If someone had asked her to smile so subtly and sexy, she’d not have been able to do it. What showed now was as natural as could be. The gown didn’t show anything she wouldn’t want the world to see. “I like it.” She met his gaze. “This is the one you’ll use?”
“I’ll put them all on the computer to get a better look, but I’m sure this will be the one. Roxanne, this is better than any dream I’ve ever had. I can’t wait to get started on the painting.” He removed the robe from the stall door and handed it to her. “We better get inside. I need to get to work.”
Work? Not Bed? After all that stimulation? Roxanne grasped the back of his t-shirt before he got away. “Are you sure you want to leave now?” She wiggled her eyebrows. “I mean…” What had she meant? Admit it! Her body burned for him.
Randy’s eyes glazed over like he had a big banana split in front of him. He needed to stop stripping her with his eyes if he wasn’t going to do something about this situation, at least here in the barn when she was half dressed. It blew her mind when he acted this way.
Randy lifted his arm to wipe sweat from his face then tossed the robe back where it had been. “Now?”
Lassoing The Last Dance (Double Dutch Ranch; Love At First Sight Book 4) Page 22
