by Marin Thomas
“Tell Mr. D I wanna ride a big horse.”
“You’ll ride whatever horse Mr. D thinks you should ride.” Josie paused at the door. “See you later.”
When she walked around the side of the house her heart stuttered at the sight of Dexter leaning against the hood of his truck. Arms folded over his chest, legs crossed at the ankles and a sliver of straw hanging from his mouth—the quintessential cowboy pose. Not once had thoughts of Dexter turned lustful in high school—all her hormones had been focused on Dusty. So how come she suddenly noticed the way Dexter’s snug jeans fit at the crotch? The way his hands gripped a pitchfork? The way his muscles bunched across his shoulders when he pushed the wheelbarrow?
Knock it off, Josie. She had enough on her plate right now—she didn’t need another serving of Cody cowboy.
Dexter opened the passenger-side door as she approached and she grinned. “What?”
“That’s the one thing I miss about Wyoming—old-fashioned cowboy gallantry.” He shut the door and got in on the driver’s side. She handed him a water bottle.
“Thanks.” He downed the entire bottle before starting the engine. “So guys in California don’t open doors for girls?”
“Not many of them.”
“You said the cattle are in the south pasture, right?”
She nodded. Her father kept the herd there in the summer because the area sat in a basin beneath the Shoshone Forest where the cooler temperatures produced richer grazing grass. During the winter months the cattle remained near the homestead and their diet was supplemented with hay.
As the truck bumped along the service road, she asked, “What’s Dexter Cody been up to since college?”
“Nothing as exciting as you having a baby.”
“Have you come close?” she asked.
“To having a baby?” The corner of his mouth tilted upward.
She landed a playful punch against his shoulder. “You know what I mean. Have you come close to getting married?”
Dexter strangled the steering wheel. “Once.”
“What happened?”
“Didn’t work out.” He’d gone to heck and back for Shannon, trying to keep their relationship solid. Between hopping commuter planes to watch Shannon barrel race all over the West, caring for the Cottonwood Ranch horses and competing in rodeos with Dusty, Dexter had worn himself into the ground. Looking back on that time now he realized how one-sided his affair with Shannon had been.
“I’m surprised.” Josie’s comment snapped him out of the past.
“Surprised about what?”
“I expected you to be married and have a couple of rugrats by now.” She shrugged. “You’re a rock kind of guy.”
He chuckled. “A rock?”
“Yeah. A man a woman can depend on. A guy who’ll always be there for her—a rock.”
Secretly pleased Josie held him in such high esteem, Dexter’s face heated at the compliment. Don’t puff up your feathers too much. No matter how intriguing the possibility of getting reacquainted with Josie might be, the mother of his brother’s son was off-limits.
If Dusty had any sense he’d marry Josie. A lot of people tied the knot for lesser reasons than having a child together. Besides, Josie and Dusty weren’t strangers. They had a history together. They’d gone steady in high school—obviously that attraction hadn’t faded if they’d conceived Matt.
Acting honorable, however, was more difficult than Dexter anticipated. At the moment, with Josie’s sweet scent filling the cab, he wanted to lean across the seat and nuzzle her neck. Banking his sexual thoughts, he asked, “What made you settle in L.A.?”
“Right after high-school graduation I flew to California with Kristen Mobley. Remember her? Her father owns a convenience store in Cody.” Josie waved a hand in front of her face. “Anyway, once I saw the City of Angels I knew I’d never live in Markton again.”
The conviction in her voice surprised him. “You hated Markton that much?”
“I didn’t hate Markton as much as I hated the idea of everyone knowing your business.”
“Gossip makes life interesting.” There were occasions he wished people would keep their opinions to themselves, but those times were few and far between. More often than not, nosiness was a person’s way of showing they cared.
“When Mom and Dad offered to help pay for my court-reporting school I decided to remain in L.A. I got a part-time job, rented a small apartment with two other girls and never looked back.”
If only Dexter could stop looking back—back to Josie and what might have been if he’d had the courage to ask her out before his brother had.
“Now Matt and I live in a large apartment community in Santa Monica. No one knows your business unless you tell them.”
“What if—”
“I know what you’re going to say.” She huffed. “How will I know if a psychopath or serial killer moves in next door?”
Surely Josie would understand that his family would worry about her and Matt when they learned Matt was a Cody. “Well…?”
“Most people are murdered by an acquaintance not a stranger.”
Touché. A year ago a woman in Cody had been shot by her husband during a domestic dispute. The husband had been sentenced to twelve years in prison.
“Have you ever considered living anywhere other than Markton?” Josie asked.
“Nope. I’m a die-hard cowboy.” Why would anyone trade in paradise—Wyoming’s crisp, clean mountain air and vast miles of wilderness—for smog and sprawling suburbs?
“There are times I miss the snowcapped mountains….”
He sensed a but coming.
“But I don’t miss the long winter months and the spring blizzards that leave you stuck in the house for days on end.”
“You might change your mind if you were house-bound with someone…fun.” Why hell had he said that? She’d think he was—
“Why, Dexter Cody…are you flirting with me?”
He swallowed a groan. “Damn.”
“What’s wrong?”
He slowed the truck to a crawl. “Break in the fence line.” Lazy S cattle were nowhere in sight. Thank God for distractions!
“I hope they didn’t wander onto Cottonwood land.” Josie’s teeth worried her lower lip and Dexter cursed again—silently. If his brain didn’t stop putting a sexual twist on Josie’s every word or action, he’d go nuts trying to behave himself around her.
“One way to find out.” Dexter drove over a cattle guard and onto Cody land. Extracting fifty head of Lazy S cattle from twenty-five hundred cow and calf pairs would be a daunting task. “Maybe they’re over the ridge.” He drove another half mile, then hit the brakes. “We’re in luck.”
A small group of cattle followed by three cowboys crested a ridge and headed in their direction. Dexter made a U-turn and returned to Charles land, parking the truck several yards from the gaping hole in the fence.
“Is that Jesse riding up front?” Josie shielded her eyes against the sun’s glare.
“Yep.” Dexter could spot his older brother’s white cowboy hat ten miles away. He waited as Jesse and the hands herded the cattle back through the opening in the fence, then he grabbed his tools and got to work repairing the barbed wire.
“Sorry for the trouble, Jesse,” Josie said when Dexter’s brother slid from the saddle.
“Josie Charles.” Jesse removed his hat. This Cody brother wore his blond hair much shorter than the twins’. “Where have you been hiding since high school?” The infamous Cody blue eyes sparkled, then his expression sobered. “I was sorry to hear about your father’s heart attack.”
“Thanks. He’ll be fine as long as he listens to his doctor and doesn’t overdo.”
“How long you in town for?” Jesse asked.
“Just until my father is back on his feet.” The sooner she returned to Santa Monica the better. She’d had to take an unpaid leave from her job while her father recuperated and she worried about using the last of her savi
ngs to make the rent and pay bills if she needed to stay in Markton longer than a month.
“Fence is fixed.” Dexter stowed the tools in the truck bed. “We’re lucky you corralled them before they mingled with Cottonwood cattle,” he said to his brother.
“Cows don’t travel too fast in this heat.” Jesse grinned.
“Mom says you’re going all the way to the NFR this year,” Josie said.
“Tell your mother I appreciate the vote of confidence. I’m gonna give it a hell of run, that’s for sure.” He motioned to Dexter. “Speaking of rodeos, where the heck has Dusty disappeared to? Slim said neither of you have practiced this past week.”
Josie hid a smile behind a fake cough. Years ago Dusty had complained to her that Jesse took rodeo too seriously. The eldest Cody brother lived and breathed bulls and expected his siblings to devote as much time and energy to their events as he did to his.
“We’ll get around to practicing, don’t worry,” Dexter said. “Digger’s got a sore leg, so I’m resting him for a few days.”
Jesse mounted his horse. “If you hear from Dusty tell him to call home. Some buckle bunny’s trying to track him down and she keeps phoning the main house.” The words buckle bunny conjured up memories of Josie having to battle other girls for Dusty’s attention. That was one aspect of their relationship she hadn’t enjoyed.
“Don’t be a stranger, Josie. Stop by the ranch. Mom loves showing off her prize stallion, Mr. Lucky Son.”
The thought of paying a social call to Anne Cody before Josie and Dusty shared the news about Matt seemed wrong in every way.
Jesse shifted in his saddle, giving Dexter his full attention. “We tracked a cougar roaming the edge of the forest last week. You might want to move these slabs of beef closer to the homestead until the cat leaves the area.”
“Thanks for your help,” Josie said when Jesse signaled his men it was time to leave. “I’ll make sure they don’t stray again.”
Once Jesse and his men left, Josie and Dexter got back in the truck. “Your brother won’t tell anyone what happened today, will he?” The last thing her father needed was a confrontation with J.W.
“No need to.”
Had Josie’s father embellished the story of J.W. swindling him years ago? How could J.W.—as despicable as her father painted him to be—have raised five honest, hardworking kids?
Dexter drove southeast a quarter mile, then turned onto a dirt path. She wasn’t surprised he knew the location of the water sources on her father’s property. Ranchers needed to be familiar with their neighbors’ spreads in order to lend a helping hand during tough times. The dirt road dead-ended and Dexter parked the truck. They hiked through underbrush to a small glen with a spring-fed pond. The water level was dangerously low. Good thing her father had cut the size of the herd.
“The spring that feeds this pond is drying up,” Dexter said. “Your father’s going to have to dig a well.”
There was no money for a new well. “If I remember right, one of the stock tanks is on the other side of that hill.” She pointed to a small knoll in the distance. They hiked to the tank—bone-dry.
“The cattle broke through the fence because they were looking for water,” Dexter said.
“I imagine the other tanks are empty, too.” She followed Dexter back to the truck and they made the drive to the Lazy S ranch house in silence, giving Josie ample time to contemplate her father’s financial woes. When Dexter parked in front of the house, he said, “I’ll be back tomorrow with a couple of hands to help move the cattle in closer.”
“Don’t bother,” she said.
“What do you mean?”
“The cows have to take their chances with the cougar.” And scarce water. “Dad doesn’t have enough hay to supplement their diets and the pastures near the house have been overgrazed.”
“It’s none of my business, but if your father needs help, I’ve got money saved. I can float him a no-interest loan. Until he’s back on his feet.”
Josie didn’t know whether to laugh at the absurdity of a Cody lending a Charles money or to weep at Dexter’s sincere offer. After what she’d done to his brother—keeping Matt a secret—she didn’t deserve his empathy or his generosity. “You’re a true-blue cowboy, you know that.” At his frown she explained. “You live by the cowboy code.”
“What code?”
She smiled. “My mother’s a Gene Autry fan. When I was in kindergarten she made me memorize his cowboy codes.”
“How many of them are there?”
“Ten. The one that comes to mind right now…a cowboy must help people in distress.”
Dexter scoffed and she smiled at his impatience. “A cowboy must be a good worker—you are. He must respect women, parents and his nation’s laws—you do.”
“You haven’t been home in years. How would you know if I’ve broken a law or not?” he asked.
“A cowboy always tells the truth. And as long as I’ve known you, you’ve never lied.”
“People change.”
“Not you.”
He grimaced.
“A cowboy must be gentle with children, the elderly and animals,” she continued, amused by the rosy hue spreading across his cheeks.
“All right. Enough of the Gene Autry stuff. Tomorrow, I’ll speak to your father about moving the herd.”
“I don’t remember bullheadedness being one of the codes.” Her comment didn’t budge his serious expression. She sighed. “I’ll do my best to prepare him.” She hopped out of the truck. “But, Dex. Don’t go overboard. Okay?”
“Promise. Tell Matt as soon as I get your father’s cattle squared away, I’ll give him his first riding lesson.”
She considered protesting but figured Dexter would throw one of the cowboy codes back in her face. “Okay.” She watched until the truck disappeared in a cloud of dust.
What was it about those good-looking Cody men? She’d better keep her guard up around Dexter. She’d already succumbed to Dusty’s charm and look where that had landed her.
Dexter’s different. He’s solid. Dependable.
And he broke off your friendship without a word of explanation. If she was smart she wouldn’t give Dexter the chance to hurt her again. She hurried toward the house, realizing what was missing from her perfect life in Santa Monica—a good old-fashioned cowboy.
Chapter Five
“About time you called,” Dexter grumbled into his cell phone early Tuesday morning. “Mom’s pissed that you took off without telling her.” The least his twin could have done was inform their parents of his plans before skipping the country.
“I need you to do me a favor,” Dusty said.
The word favor sent up red flags in Dexter’s mind. “No favors. I’ve got my hands full with that damned stallion, nursing Digger’s leg and—”
“You saying Digger won’t be ready for the Missoula Hoedown?”
“What do you care? You haven’t been around to practice.”
Dusty cursed. “I called to ask if you’d keep an eye on Josie and Matt until I return.”
The mention of Josie’s name sucked the steam out of Dexter’s mad.
“I’m—” Silence ensued and Dexter envisioned his twin tunneling his fingers through his hair. “—still trying to wrap my head around everything, you know?”
No, Dexter did not know.
Have some compassion. He’s your brother. “Then what are you doing in Canada when Josie and your son are here in Markton?”
“I signed a contract. I’ll be home as soon as they finish filming the scenes with my horses.”
Dexter hated asking the question, but he needed to know Dusty’s intentions toward Josie—especially after Dexter discovered the old feelings he’d once possessed for her hadn’t completely died. “Any thoughts about you and Josie and the future?”
“I’m weighing my options,” Dusty answered after a heavy pause.
If his brother had no desire to tie the knot with Josie, Dexter would be free
to…what? He’d had a huge crush on her in high school and when Josie had chosen Dusty over him, he’d been devastated.
You never gave Josie the chance to choose, you idiot. You never told her how you felt about her.
None of that mattered anymore. Josie was Dusty’s girl—back then and even more now. Dexter’s feelings for her didn’t matter. His loyalty belonged to his brother, and he’d do whatever Dusty needed him to do. Sounds like you’re spouting one of those frickin’ cowboy codes Josie talked about. Had Gene Autry’s insides ever twisted like a pretzel when he followed his codes?
“To my way of thinking, bro, you’ve got only one option.” Marriage.
“This isn’t just about me. Josie gets a say, too,” Dusty said.
“No matter what happens between you and Josie, nothing’s going to change the fact that you’re Matt’s father.”
A string of four-letter words blistered Dexter’s ear. He’d pushed his brother too far. “Josie’s a big girl,” Dexter said. “She doesn’t need a babysitter.” Cowboy code be damned—the less time he spent with Josie the better for all concerned.
“If Josie or Matt asks for anything would you make sure they get it?”
Matt needs a father. Want me to step in and take your place? As soon as the thought entered his mind, Dexter felt a pain shoot through his intestines and figured he’d end up with an ulcer by the time the dust settled between Josie and his brother. “I’m helping them out as we speak.”
“What do you mean?”
“Were you aware Hank Charles cut his herd to fifty head?” Dexter asked.
“Why so few?”
Dexter’s thoughts exactly—why bother owning cattle at all. “Hank’s had a run of bad luck.” If Josie wanted Dusty to know more about her father’s health problems, she could tell him. “The Lazy S herd crossed onto Cottonwood land the other day looking for water. Jesse found them before they mixed in with our cattle.”
“Anyone tell Dad?”
“Heck, no.” No sense stirring up trouble between the old men.
“You haven’t told anyone about Matt, have you?” Dusty asked.
Since when had Dexter ever given his twin a reason not to trust him? Guilt filled Dexter, adding to the pain in his midriff. If his brother knew some of the untoward thoughts Dexter possessed about Josie, Dusty would call upon another brother to keep an eye on her and Matt. “I gave you my word I wouldn’t mention Matt to anyone.”
