Renegade Cowboy

by Sara Richardson

  She already did. “It feels like I’ve been gone forever.” And yet everything was the same as when she’d left. The neat sidewalks that lined the downtown shops, the iron lampposts now adorned with fall foliage. Topaz Falls was both nostalgic and welcoming.

  A sigh of contentment billowed through her. While she loved Denver, it would never truly be her home.

  “I can’t wait to see Mom.” She’d offered to fly out and escort her mom home, but Lulu had other plans. She’d met a friend at the treatment center, a woman from Vail. The two of them had decided to drive home across the mountains together. To Cassidy, it felt like years had passed since she’d hugged her mom—like they’d both been catapulted into different lives, though they still talked every day.

  “She can’t wait to see you either.” Levi squeezed her thigh. He’d been so great about checking in on Lulu since she’d gotten home the week before. “She looks like a different person, Cass. You’ll hardly believe it.”

  “I’m so glad.” Lulu’s recovery was ongoing, but Cassidy hadn’t heard her sound so positive in years. She’d even joined an AA group in Vail and actually looked forward to attending the meetings. “I really think the treatment program saved her life.” She’d thanked Levi a hundred times, but it still felt like the kind of gift you could never pay back.

  “The program helped. But she’s doing the hard work.” Levi turned onto Amethyst Street. It was so cozy and inviting compared to the city. The lawns, the imperfect flower gardens mingled with weeds, the sagging porch furniture where neighbors sat to chat. When the truck pulled up in front of her house, Cassidy gasped. “Oh my god.”

  Everything was so different. She almost didn’t recognize the place. “Levi…” She unbuckled and let herself out of the truck, wandering to the edge of a manicured green lawn. The siding had been replaced and was painted a lovely grayish blue. Brand-new red shutters popped with vibrant color. A new front porch had taken the place of the crumbling concrete steps. And even a beautiful white wooden swing hung in the midst of a dozen potted flower arrangements. It was the grandest house on the block…

  “Do you like it?” He snuck up behind her and captured her in his arms, leaning his chin on her shoulder.

  “Like it?” Love and admiration for him rose in her throat. “I love it. It’s beautiful.” She faced him. “How did you manage this in between traveling and staying at my place?”

  “I had help. Lance and Lucas and I knocked it out in a few days.”

  “That must’ve been something to see,” she murmured, picturing him shirtless and sweating.

  He shot her the grin he saved for their sexy alone-times. “They’re all in there. Everyone wanted to be here when you came home. Lucas and Naomi, Lance and Jessa, Dad and Evie.” Backing up a step, he took her hands in his. His skin was rougher now that he was back to competing, tarnished with scrapes. She loved the feel of it, of his manly ruggedness against her soft skin.

  “You and Lulu are part of our family now. In my heart, you always have been.” He dropped to a knee and sent her heart into an upward spiral. “But I want to make it official. I want you to be my wife. I want everyone to know that you hold my soul in your hands.”

  “Wow. Oh, wow…” A tremble of happiness started in her chest and quickly overtook everything else. Her body sang with it—the unexpected joy that bubbled through her.

  “This is the exact spot where I kissed you that first night,” he said. “The night I knew I would never love anyone else.”

  She closed her eyes, remembering. The emotions that had ripped through her when she’d smashed the bottles in the street. The way he had somehow reached into her deepest pain and held her together.

  Levi dug a ring out of his pocket and held it up in the palm of his hand. It was a single solitaire diamond set into a wide gold band.

  “It’s lovely.” So elegant and classic. Not that she cared much about the ring itself. It was the man who held it who had changed her life.

  “We don’t have to get married this year,” Levi said, still on his knees. “I don’t care when. I just want you to know I’m committed to you. You’re it for me, Cass. It’s always been you.”

  “You’re it for me too.” She lowered to her knees along with him. Her hand shook hard as he fit the ring on her finger. Steadying it in his own, he kissed her palm. “I love you, darlin’. I always will.”

  “I love you too.” She could barely manage a whisper past the elation that crowded her heart. “Oh my…wow…we’re getting married.” She looked at him in wonder.

  “She said yes!” The shout came from the direction of the house. Jessa, if she wasn’t mistaken. Sure enough, the whole crowd stood framed in the living room’s picture window, which had conveniently been left open.

  “Of course I said yes,” she called, laughing while warm tears streamed down her cheeks. It was the best feeling in the world.

  “I told them to keep the curtains closed. Give us some privacy,” Levi muttered, pulling her to her feet. But his smile assured her that he forgave them all.

  “Pretty sure the word privacy doesn’t exist in the Cortez Family Dictionary. Especially with Jessa and Naomi in charge.” Which was fine by her. Ever since her own family had fallen apart, she’d longed for this. A place to belong. People to enjoy life with. To share the burdens and pains and joys and triumphs.

  The door opened, and everyone flooded out onto the lawn.

  “I love your family,” she told Levi just before she got swept up into the congratulations.

  “They’re pretty great.” He refused to let go of her hand. Together they hugged each person, and Cassidy had a good squeal with Jessa and Naomi. Finally, Lulu broke through the crowd. She did look different. Healthier. Her face was tanned, and she’d put on a little weight.

  “Cass-a-frass.” She hugged her tight and kissed the top of her head.

  “You look amazing, Mom.” Cassidy pulled back and let the sight sink in.

  “I feel amazing.” Happiness danced in her mom’s eyes as she looked back and forth between her and Levi. “And I can’t wait to plan your wedding.”

  “I don’t think I can wait long either,” she admitted with a glance at Levi. Work was intense, but she’d gotten used to the twelve-hour days. And in a few more months, she could likely request a short vacation. “I want it to be a celebration. For all of us.” Maybe not the traditional church affair, but more like a party. With country music and a dance floor and cowgirl boots and a huge chocolate cake.

  Levi gathered her to his side. “That sounds perfect.”

  “I don’t need perfect.” Not when she had him and this crazy, nosy, loud, loving family.

  This was enough. It was more than she’d ever dreamed.

  See how the Rocky Mountain Riders series began!

  What would a big-time rodeo star like Lance Cortez see in a small-town veterinarian like Jessa Mae Love? She has no idea. But once she’s inside this rugged cowboy’s ranch—and has fallen into his strong cowboy arms—she’s too swept away to ask…

  An excerpt from Hometown Cowboy follows.

  Chapter One

  Sorry, sir.” Jessa Mae Love threw out her arms to block the heavyset man who tried to sit on the stool next to her. “This seat is taken.”

  He eyed her, the coarseness of his five o’clock shadow giving his face a particularly menacing quality. Still, she held her ground.

  “You been sittin’ there by yourself for an hour, lady,” he pointed out, scratching at his beer belly. “And this is the best spot to watch the game.”

  “It’s true. I have been sitting here for a while.” She smiled politely and shimmied her shoulders straighter, lest he think she was intimidated by his bulk. “But my boyfriend is meeting me. We have an important date tonight and I know he’ll be here any minute.” She checked the screen of her cell phone again, the glowing numbers blaring an insult in her face. Seven o’clock. Seven o’clock?

  Cam was never late. He’d been planning this date f
or more than a week. Since she was coming straight from the animal rescue shelter she owned, they’d agreed to meet at the Tumble Inn Bar for a drink before he took her to the new Italian restaurant on Main Street. “He’ll be here,” she said to the man. “Cam is very reliable.”

  “Whatever,” the man grumbled, hunching himself on a stool three down from her.

  Signaling to the bartender, she ordered another glass of pinot. “And why don’t you go ahead and bring a Bud Light for my boyfriend?” she asked with a squeak of insecurity. But that was silly because Cam would be there. He’d show up and give her a kiss and apologize for being so late because…his car broke down. Or maybe his mother called and he couldn’t get off the phone with her.

  “He won’t let me down,” she muttered to cool the heat that rose to her face. He would never stand her up in this crowded bar—in front of the whole town.

  Everyone considered the Tumble Inn the classiest watering hole in Topaz Falls, Colorado. And that was simply because you weren’t allowed to throw peanut shells on the floor. It was nice enough—an old brick auto shop garage that had been converted years ago. They’d restored the original garage doors and in the summer, they opened them to the patio, which was strung with colorful hanging globe lights. Gil Wilson, the owner, had kept up with the times, bringing in modern furniture and decor. He also offered the best happy hour in town, which would explain why it was so crowded on a Wednesday night.

  She stole a quick glance over her shoulder. Were people starting to stare?

  Plastering on a smile, she called Cam. Again.

  His voice mail picked up. Again.

  “Hey, it’s me.” She lowered her voice. “I’m kind of worried. Maybe I got the time wrong? Did we say we’d meet at six? Or seven? I guess it doesn’t matter. I’m here at the bar. Waiting for you…” A deafening silence echoed back in her ear. “Okay. Well I’m sure you’re on your way. I’ll see you soon.”

  She set down the phone and took a long sip of wine. Everything was fine. It was true she hadn’t had very good luck with men, but Cam was different.

  She drummed her fingers against the bar to keep her hand from trembling. Over the past ten years, she’d been almost engaged approximately three times. Approximately, because she wasn’t all that sure that a twist tie from the high school cafeteria counted as a betrothal, although her seventeen-year-old heart had thought it to be wildly romantic at the time. Little did she know, one year later, her high school sweetheart—the one who’d gotten down on one knee in the middle of the cafeteria to recite one of Shakespeare’s sonnets in front of nearly the whole school (did she mention he was in the drama club?)—would go off to college and meet the Phi Beta Kappa sisters who’d splurged on breast implants instead of fashionable new glasses like Jessa’s. Breast implants seemed to get you more bang for your buck in college. Who knew?

  She pushed her glasses up on her nose and snuck a glance at the big man who’d tried to steal Cam’s seat earlier.

  “Still no boyfriend, huh?” he asked as though he suspected she’d made up the whole thing.

  “He’s on his way.” Her voice climbed the ladder of desperation. “He’ll be here soon.”

  “Sure he will.” The man went back to nursing his beer and tilted his head to see some football game on the television screen across the room.

  She was about to flip him off when an incoming text chimed on her phone. From Cam! “It’s him,” she called, holding up the phone to prove she wasn’t delusional.

  “Lucky guy,” Big Man muttered, rolling his eyes.

  “You got that right.” She focused on the screen to read the text.

  Jessa, I left this morning to move back to Denver.

  Wait. What? The words blurred. A typo. It must be a typo. Damn that autocorrect.

  “What’s the word?” Big Man asked. “He comin’ or can I take that seat?”

  “Um. Uh…” Fear wedged itself into her throat as she scrolled through the rest of the words.

  I didn’t see a future for me there. In Topaz Falls or with you. Sorry. I know this would’ve been better in person, but I couldn’t do it. You’re too nice. I know you’ll find the right person. It’s just not me.

  Yours,

  Cam

  “Yours? Yours?” Ha. That was laughable. Cam had never been hers. Just like the others. Hadn’t mattered how nice she’d been. She’d been jilted. Again. This time by her animal rescue’s largest donor. And, yes, the man she’d been sleeping with…because he’d seemed like a good idea at the time. Women had slim pickings around Topaz Falls, population 2,345.

  “Is he coming or not?” Big Man asked, still eyeing the empty stool.

  “No. He’s not coming.” A laugh bubbled out, bordering on hysteria. “He broke up with me! By text!”

  A hush came over the bar, but who cared? Let them all stare. Poor Jessa. Dumped again.

  “It’s not like he’s a prize,” she said, turning to address them all. “He’s a technology consultant, for God’s sake. Not Chris Hemsworth.” Not that she knew what being a technology consultant meant. But it’d sounded good when she’d met him after she found his stray puggle wandering downtown six months ago. Peabody had pranced right up to her on the street and peed on her leg, the little shit. Now, Jessa was a dog person—an animal person—but that puggle had it out for her from day one.

  When Cam had come in to retrieve his little beast from the shelter, stars had circled in her eyes. He was the first attractive man she’d seen since all those bull riders had passed through town three months ago. So unfair for those smokin’ hot cowboys to gather in town and get the women all revved up only to leave them the next day.

  In all honesty, Cam was no cowboy. Though his slight bulk suggested he spent a good portion of every day sitting in front of a computer screen, his soft brown eyes had a kind shimmer that instantly drew you in. He’d been good to her—taking her out to fancy restaurants and buying her flowers just because. Also, because she’d saved his beloved varmint from the potential fate of being mauled by a mountain lion, he’d made monthly donations to the shelter, which had kept them going.

  Now he was gone.

  “I can’t believe this. How could he break up with me?”

  Everyone around her had gone back to their own conversations, either unwilling to answer or pretending they didn’t hear. So she turned to Big Man. “I guess you’re happy about this, huh? Now the seat’s all yours.”

  He didn’t even look at her. “Nope. I’m good right where I am, thanks.”

  Oh, sure. After all that, now he didn’t want to sit by her? “Fine. That’s fine. It’s all fine.” Raising the glass to her lips, she drained the rest of her wine in one gulp.

  “You know what?” she asked Big Man, not caring one iota that he seemed hell-bent on ignoring her. “I’m done.” This had to stop. The falling in love thing. It always started innocently enough. A man would ask her out and they’d go on a few dates. She’d swear that this time she wouldn’t get too attached too soon, but before she knew it, she was looking up wedding venues and bridal gowns and honeymoon destinations online. She couldn’t help it. Her heart had always been a sucker for romance. Her father had said it was her best quality—that she could love someone so quickly, that she could give her heart to others so easily. He got it because he was the same way. Her mother, of course, labeled it her worst quality. You’re simply in love with the idea of being in love, her wise mother would say. And it was true. Was that so wrong?

  “Hey, Jessa.”

  The gruffness of the quiet voice, aged by years of good cigars, snapped up her head. She turned.

  Luis Cortez stood behind her, hunched in his bowlegged stance. Clad in worn jeans and sporting his pro rodeo belt buckle, he looked like he’d just stepped off the set of an old western, face tanned and leathery, white hair tufted after a long ride on his trusty steed.

  “Hi there, Luis,” she mumbled, trying to hold her head high. Luis was her lone volunteer at the shelter, and he jus
t might be the only one in town who loved animals as much as she did. He’d also been her dad’s best friend and since she’d come back to town last year to settle her father’s estate, she’d spent a lot of time with the man.

  Maybe that was part of her problem with finding the love of her life. She spent most of her free time with a sixty-seven-year-old man…

  “You all right?” Luis asked, gimping to the stool next to her. Seeing as how he was a retired bull-riding legend, it was a wonder he could walk at all.

  “Uh.” That was a complicated question. “Yes.” She cleared the tremble out of her voice. “I’m fine. Great.” She would be, anyway. As soon as the sting wore off.

  “Thought you and Cam had a date tonight.” Luis shifted with a wince, as though his arthritis was flaring again. “Where is he anyway? I was hopin’ I could talk him into puttin’ in his donation early this month. We gotta replace half the roof before the snow comes.”

  Cam. That name was her newest curse word. Cam him! Cam it! Feeling the burn of humiliation pulse across her cheeks, she turned on her phone and pushed it over to him so he could read the text. “Cam broke up with me.” Luis had obviously missed the little announcement she’d made earlier.

  He held up the phone and squinted, mouthing the words as he read. The older man looked as outraged as she was, bless him. “Man wasn’t good enough for you, anyways, Jess. He’s a damn fool.”

  “I have a knack for picking the fools.” Just ask her mother. Every time she went through one of these breakups, Carla Roth, DO, would remind her of how bad the odds were for finding true love. Her mother had never married her father. She didn’t believe in monogamy. One person out of six billion? she’d ask. That is highly unlikely, Jessa.

  It might be unlikely, but the odds weren’t enough to kill the dream. Not for her. Neither was the lack of any significant relationship in her mother’s life. Jessa had grown up being shuffled back and forth—summers and Christmas in Topaz Falls with her father and the rest of the year with her college professor mother who didn’t believe in love, secretly watching old romantic classics and movies like Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail with wistful tears stinging in her eyes.