by R. C. Ryan
Cory was silent for a long moment as he considered Jake’s words.
“So, this is like those fables my mom used to read to me.” Cory looked up to meet Jake’s steady gaze.
“Exactly.” Jake’s roguish grin returned. “You know something? You’re a very smart boy, Cory.”
As he got to his feet, the boy’s face was wreathed in smiles.
And, Meg noted, he had not only looked Jake squarely in the eye, but hadn’t flinched when he’d been touched.
It may not be much, she thought, as she followed the man and boy into the room, but it’s a whole lot more than we had when this day started.
And it was way more than any reaction she could get from Cory, despite the fact that they were related by blood.
Of course, she thought with a trace of weariness, maybe that was the chasm that would prove too deep for either of them to cross. They might share the same blood, but Cory saw her only as a stranger. An adult who would wield power over him, and one who could alter his future forever.
She hoped the day would come when the boy would be able to put aside his fear of her and find some small, common bond.
Until that day, she would have to be content with the fact that he was beginning to trust the Conway family. Especially Jake.
And why not? There was just something about him that inspired trust.
Of course, what she considered trust could turn out to be merely the lust simmering deep in her soul that heated up each time Jake Conway got too close.
There was no denying that this sexy cowboy was getting to her.
Chapter Twelve
As the conversation began to lag, Quinn and Cheyenne were the first to take their leave. They called good night to the others before heading for their truck.
“Wait.” Phoebe paused in the act of wheeling the serving cart from the great room. “You’re not staying the night?”
Quinn paused. “We promised Micah we’d give him a hand with the ranch chores tomorrow, so we plan on spending the night at Cheyenne’s ranch.”
As they left, Jake saw the question in Meg’s eyes.
“Cheyenne’s the last surviving member of her family. Micah is her cook, wrangler, surrogate father, and all-around head honcho, who’s been with her since she was a kid. After her marriage to Quinn, she was spending all her time racing between her ranch and ours. Since her ranch is our nearest neighbor to the south, she’s been talking with Kirby Bolton about the legalities of merging her ranch with ours. Pa and Big Jim are fine with it, and they’re working on combining ranch hands, as well, so the wranglers can handle the chores more efficiently.”
Meg laughed. “That sounds like a very good deal for both Quinn and Cheyenne. And if I hadn’t seen them together, I might be inclined to think their marriage was nothing more than a good business proposition. But nobody could fake the passionate vibes that those two give off.”
Jake nodded. “Yeah. They could blind a guy with all that love glowing in their eyes.”
“So, growing up in such close proximity, have they known each other for years?”
Jake laughed. “Actually, they only met when Cheyenne shot the alpha male wolf that my brother had been tracking and monitoring for years.”
Meg’s eyes rounded. “She shot Quinn’s wolf? Tell me more.”
Jake shook his head. “Sorry. I’ll save that for them to tell. It’s a hell of a tale.”
When Josh and Sierra called out their good night to the others, Phoebe stifled a yawn. “I’ll say good night, too. I’ll see all of you in the morning.” The housekeeper turned to Meg and Cory. “If you need anything at all—”
“They can wake me,” Jake interrupted. “You’ve done enough for one day.”
Phoebe shot him a grateful smile and blew him a kiss before saying to Meg, “See why he’s my hero?”
“Just making up for all those years when I was that pesky kid who gave you so much trouble.”
The warmth in her smile was genuine when she said, “You and your brothers have more than made up for the times you made my poor heart stop.”
Cole and Big Jim shoved their way out of their comfortable chairs and headed toward the stairs after calling good night to their family and guests.
Meg watched them go before saying, “Your father and grandfather remind me so much of my own father when I was a girl. Larger than life and able to handle so many tough ranch chores every day it would make the average man’s head spin.”
Jake nodded. “They’re tough, all right. And despite Pa’s heart attack, I haven’t seen him slow down at all.”
“Can’t you and your brothers make him see the danger in that kind of attitude?”
Jake laughed. “You’ve seen how he operates. Like a bull in a pasture. He’ll go where he wants to, and the rest of the herd had better get out of his way.”
Meg smiled. “That’s the impression I got. Watching your father and grandfather, I can see where you and your brothers learned to do things your way.”
Jake shot her one of his famous grins. “Big Jim’s fond of saying that there’s only one way of doing things, and that’s the Conways’ way.”
Noting Cory’s silence, Meg glanced at him. “I think it’s time we went up to bed, too.”
Cory shot a pleading look at Jake. “Do I have to sleep upstairs?”
Jake arched an eyebrow at him. “You don’t like the room we gave you?”
“Oh, I like it fine.” The boy blushed. “But I was hoping I could sleep with Shadow out in the barn. I’ve been missing him something awful.”
“Now Cory—,” Meg began.
Before she could say more Jake held up a hand. “I know just how you feel. I can’t count the number of times I slept in the barn with a sick animal.” He thought a minute before saying, “If your sister doesn’t object, I’ve got a bedroll up in my room. I’ll bring it out to you. It’ll be a lot more comfortable than the hay in Shadow’s stall.”
“But the—”
Jake and Cory turned to Meg with identical looks of hope, and whatever protest she’d been about to voice was forgotten. “I guess, as long as you think Cory will be safe…”
“I’ll guarantee it.” Jake gave her his most persuasive smile. “You can go along to the barn with Cory, and I’ll meet you there.”
As she and Cory turned away, Jake took the stairs three at a time. Minutes later he caught up with Meg and Cory just as they were stepping into Shadow’s stall.
He tossed the bedroll in the corner of the stall before kneeling and running a hand along the colt’s flank.
Cory leaned close to bury his face in Shadow’s neck. At once the colt went perfectly still.
At the look on the boy’s face, Meg felt her heart constrict, and she remembered again the pain she’d felt when she’d been forced to leave her pony, Strawberry, behind all those years ago.
It was strange to think that she’d buried those feelings so deep, she’d almost forgotten about them until her return to Wyoming.
Jake got to his feet. “I think maybe Shadow is turning a corner on this infection. Or maybe he’s just happy to see you, Cory. Whatever the reason, he didn’t flinch when I touched his wound. And that’s a good sign.”
He watched the boy and horse, both standing still and quiet, oblivious to all around them.
“You’ve got your cell phone?” he asked.
Cory nodded.
“Okay. I know you’ll call if you need me.” With a smile he stepped out of the stall.
“That’s it?” Meg looked at Jake, thinking he’d give the boy a lecture on staying safe if their unknown intruder should make an appearance. Instead he merely turned away.
Seeing that he had nothing more to say to her brother, Meg followed.
As Jake latched the stall door Meg turned. “Remember, Cory. We have to be up early in the morning to make the drive into town for the funeral.”
The boy looked away for a moment, but not before they could both see the pain in his eyes. His voice wa
s little more than a whisper: “I haven’t forgotten.”
Meg’s tone softened. “I’m sorry, Cory. But I…” Again her words trailed off as she realized there was nothing more to say. “Good night, Cory.”
“’Night.”
Jake raised a hand in salute, and the boy did the same.
Jake crossed to the pen where Honey was resting. He took a moment to check the golden Lab’s vitals before announcing, “It won’t be much longer, Honey. I know you’re eager to see those pups. You’re going to be such a good mama.”
He ruffled her fur, latched her pen, and turned away.
As he and Meg stepped from the barn, they could hear Cory’s voice, soft and muted, talking in soothing tones to the colt.
Meg turned in the darkness. “Do you really think it’s safe to leave him out here all alone?”
“He’s not alone. He has Shadow. You saw them together. It’s love. As real and sloppy and mushy as the feelings my brothers have for their new brides.”
Meg couldn’t help laughing aloud. “They are sloppy and mushy, aren’t they? But I think they’re sweet.”
Jake tugged on a lock of her hair. “That’s only because you don’t have to be around them all day long, watching them giving each other those big calf eyes.”
He was laughing as he said it, and Meg could hear the warmth beneath his words.
She paused to look up at him. “I don’t think you mind it half as much as you let on.”
“Shhh.” He touched a finger to her lips. “Don’t let them know. That will have to be our little secret.”
The moment he touched her he felt the strong sexual current that raced along his skin. Very carefully he drew his hand away.
Meg continued walking toward the house.
Beside her, Jake was sweating. He’d forgotten just how potent the attraction was whenever he got too close to her.
Once inside the house, they climbed the stairs to the second floor, and paused outside the closed door to the guest room.
Meg turned to Jake. “I hope we’re not making a mistake by allowing Cory to sleep out there.”
“I didn’t mention it, but while I was fetching my bedroll I arranged for our wranglers to take a turn around the barns a couple of times during the night. On top of that, Cory has his cell phone. And then there’s Honey. If our intruder managed to get past all the other barriers, that she-dog would put up such a howl, the poor guy would probably run clear to Jackson Hole without stopping.”
“But Cory’s so little—”
“He’s not helpless.” Jake tilted her face upward, studying the look in her eyes. “I think that kid is getting to you.”
She looked indignant. “I just don’t want to see him hurt.”
“Yeah. I forgot. You want me to believe you’re the original hard-hearted Hannah.” His finger was tingling, and he remembered, too late, how his body reacted whenever he touched her.
He thought about fighting the feeling yet again, but he was tired of fighting it. Besides, what was the harm of one little kiss?
“Just relax. Cory will be fine.” He lowered his head and brushed his mouth over hers. It was the merest whisper of mouth to mouth, but the instant their lips touched, everything changed.
He drew back, as though considering his options.
And then, as if in slow motion, his arms came around her and he dragged her against him while he savaged her mouth.
God in heaven, she tasted so good. He couldn’t seem to get enough of it. His lips moved over hers, drawing out all their sweet, tart flavor.
Those lips, those soft, tempting lips, held some kind of magic. That was the only explanation for the explosion of feelings rocketing through him.
With a growl of pleasure he backed her roughly against the closed door. He had his hands in her hair, though he couldn’t recall how they got there.
He lowered his mouth to the soft curve of her neck, and heard her throaty sigh. The sound of it was enough to make him dizzy with need.
She’d anchored her arms around his waist as the kiss spun on and on. The feel of her, all wrapped around him, had him sweating. His head was swimming, and he breathed in the heady fragrance of her perfume, which reminded him of a field of wildflowers. Right this minute he would happily drown in her.
He knew he had to stop, but not just yet. He wanted one more touch. One more taste.
“This is a first.” He spoke the words inside her mouth as he indulged himself in another slow, lingering kiss that had his blood flowing like hot lava.
“What is?” She moved her mouth to the corner of his jaw and he thought about simply devouring her.
“Kissing a girl good night in my house instead of hers.”
She laughed, but it turned into a sigh when he ran light kisses across her upturned face.
“Why don’t we step inside your room and see if we can’t take this to the next level?”
Meg’s laughter faded. For a moment she merely lay a hand on his chest, while she sucked air into her starving lungs. Then she looked up at him. “Sorry. It’s a very tempting offer. But one of us has to be sensible.”
“All right. That would be me. Sensible Jake Conway, they call me. I’m happy to take charge.” With that rogue smile he reached around her to open the door.
Again she put her hand on his chest. But the laughter in her eyes softened her words. “Sorry, cowboy. This lady sleeps alone.”
“I’d be happy to change that, too.”
She stepped through the doorway and turned to him, intending to say good night. He surprised her by leaning in close enough to run nibbling kisses from her ear to the corner of her lips.
When she looked up at him he had a dangerous grin. “I just wanted to leave you with a reminder of what might have been in case you’re serious about refusing my offer,” he said.
“Oh, I’m serious. And it was a very pleasant reminder of what I’m missing. But I’m sure I’ll survive.”
“There’s more to life than mere survival, Meg. Why not take a walk on the wild side?”
She lifted a hand to his cheek. “Nice try. ’Night, Jake.”
He was still grinning as the door closed.
Meg leaned against the closed door and told herself to breathe. It wasn’t easy, over the wild drumming of her heart.
When she was sure her legs would carry her, she walked to the bed and dropped down on the edge, breathing in and out until her heart rate settled.
She couldn’t recall the last time she’d felt this out of control. Probably not since high school, when all those hormones were working overtime, and the dreamy captain of the nearby boys’ school football team had singled her out for his attentions.
It shamed her to admit that she’d been sorely tempted to drag Jake in here and take what he was offering, and to hell with the consequences. It also shamed her to admit that the only reason she’d resisted was because she couldn’t do such a thing in this very household after accepting the gracious hospitality of the Conway family.
But she’d wanted to. Oh, how she’d wanted to.
She stood and walked to the floor-to-ceiling-windows to stare at the darkened outline of the Tetons. At the moment, their beauty was lost on her. She was still thinking about her puzzling reaction to Jake.
There was just something about him that got to her. If anybody had told her a week ago that she would be turned on by a tall, muscled cowboy in faded denims, and frayed plaid shirts, she’d have laughed. At Howe-Kettering she was surrounded daily by men who chased money and power and success, and dressed in thousand-dollar suits and Italian leather loafers with impossible designer names, not to mention impossible price tags.
Yet here she was, a smart, sensible, career-driven woman riding the crest of success, and the only thing on her mind was a tumble with a sexy guy who spent his days delivering foals in smelly barns and mending ranch animals of every size and shape.
And right this minute, she wished she’d given in to her inclination to invite him in
and forget about everything except some crazy, mindless sex.
Except, she thought, with a guy like Jake, it just might not be so mindless. Whenever she thought she had him pegged as another brainless hunk, he surprised her by being a whole lot more.
Like the tenderness he displayed whenever he was with Cory. There was a connection there. One she didn’t have. Maybe it was just a guy thing. Maybe they were just wired differently to keep women out. But she thought it was something else entirely.
She was beginning to think there was a lot more to this sexy Wyoming veterinarian than she’d first expected.
She crossed her arms over her chest and gave a long, deep sigh.
And maybe she was just trying to make something out of nothing.
Not that it mattered. In a few short days she’d be gone. And all of this would be forgotten.
Jake stripped off his shirt and tossed it in a hamper in the closet before walking to the window, where he leaned a hip against the frame and drank in the sight of the Tetons in the distance.
Usually the scene had the ability to clear his mind so that he could sort through any problem troubling him. Tonight, however, he couldn’t seem to focus. Maybe, he thought, because he wasn’t sure yet what the problem was.
Meg Stanford was a contradiction. On the Internet he’d located a video of the trial that had brought her to public attention. While watching it he’d been struck by how cool and calm she was in the midst of a high-profile courtroom drama being played out before scores of television cameras. She’d been interviewed after the verdict, and her courtroom strategy had been dissected by every reporter on the planet. Yet she’d remained cool and aloof, as though the drama hadn’t touched her at all.
He’d thought, while watching the replay of the trial, that he’d very much like to try thawing the heart of that ice maiden.
But tonight in his arms, she’d been a very different Meg. All heat and fire and passion. And he’d have bet any amount of money that she had been as reluctant as he to walk away.
