by Marin Thomas
“Now look at this one.” Walker revealed a second map. “Notice the difference?”
“I’m no engineer. You’ll have to spell it out to me.”
“The second map is the same section of ranch land but shows no gas deposits. This is the survey Hank Charles commissioned.”
Dexter stared at the maps, his gut churning until he felt ill. Did his father’s animosity toward his neighbor run so deep that he’d use his money and power to bribe someone to alter a geological survey?
“What did Dad pay for that land?” Dexter asked.
Walker’s expression sobered. “A third of what it was worth.”
“No wonder Hank hates Dad.” Dexter rubbed his jaw. “Remind me again why you’re showing me these maps?”
“Jesse says you’ve been seeing a lot of Josie. Figured you might want to know what you’re up against.”
Just great. Everyone thought he and Josie were an item. “Josie and I are friends. There’s nothing more between us.” Dexter secured the maps with a rubber band. “Mind if I keep these?”
“Be my guest.” Walker opened the driver’s-side door and Dexter caught a flash of blue.
“Wait.” Dexter felt beneath the front seat and tugged the material free. “Mystery of the missing blue blanket solved.”
“Thank God.” Walker gripped the security blanket as if it belonged to him. “I’d better head into town and give this to Clay.” He hopped into his truck, then lowered the window. “Tell Dad I’ll talk to him later about the gas wells.” Walker honked and drove off.
Dexter headed for the old log-cabin-style bunkhouse, which served as the main office for ranch operations. After delivering Walker’s message, he had a few questions for his father. Doris, the secretary, didn’t work weekends, so Dexter walked into his father’s office un-announced. J.W. looked up from the pile of papers he’d been sorting through.
“Walker found Clay’s blanket and ran it into town. Said he’d catch you later to talk about the gas wells.”
“That boy’s too old to be dragging around a security blanket,” J.W. grumbled.
“Dusty and I were five when you and Mom finally made us leave our stick horses at home when you took us on errands.” Dexter sat in front of the desk.
“Maybe your mother can find your stick horse up in the attic and swap it out with the blanket next time we babysit Clay. Never too early to get my grandson interested in rodeo.”
Speaking of rodeos, buckles and gas wells… “Walker found these in Grandpa’s cabin.” Dexter placed the maps on the desk.
J.W. glanced at the surveys. “So?”
“You said the animosity between you and Hank wasn’t over rodeo.” He pointed to the maps. “Is this the reason you two hate each other’s guts?” Is this the reason Josie chose not to tell Dusty about Matt or reveal Matt’s birth father to her parents?
“Are you asking me if I swindled our neighbor?”
J.W. could be a hard businessman, but as far as Dexter knew his dealings had never been unethical. “You didn’t dupe Hank Charles.”
“You’re damned right I didn’t.”
“Then what happened? Why were two surveys done, and why is the one Hank commissioned missing the gas wells?”
“You’ll have to ask Hank,” J.W. said.
Hell. “He told me to ask you.”
His father shook his head. “I don’t know all the details, Dexter. Besides, what does it matter? The circumstances surrounding the sale of that land are in the past. Hank and I have both moved on. No sense digging up old bones.”
Dexter suspected J.W. and Hank had not moved on and that was the reason Josie had kept Matt a secret—she feared J.W. was a threat to her and her son.
WHENEVER A NATIONAL LITTLE Britches Rodeo came to town, the event drew visitors from all over, including Canada. The Wilson County Fairgrounds were crowded with kids of all ages competing in bull riding, bareback riding, goat tying, pole bending and barrel racing. Josie’s favorite nonsanctioned rodeo event was mutton bustin’.
The stands were packed with cheering spectators as little wranglers under six attempted to ride sheep. Although the kids were required to wear helmets, Josie worried her son might fall and break an arm or a leg. Matt’s pout and Dexter’s I’ll-keep-him-safe promise had swayed her. Now Josie sat in the bleachers and watched Dexter secure the chin strap on Matt’s headgear.
“Which one’s yours?” The woman seated next to Josie nodded to the throng of sheep and kids.
Josie pointed Matt out and right then Dexter glanced up and smiled.
“Wow.” The woman whistled low.
“Pardon?” Josie asked.
“I can see the resemblance between father and son. Daddy sure is one fine-looking cowboy.”
“He’s my son’s uncle.” As soon as the words escaped her mouth Josie wanted to snatch them back.
“Well, in that case maybe I should introduce myself.” The woman wiggled her bare ring finger. “I’ve been divorced over a year and haven’t been able to land myself another husband.” She smacked her chewing gum.
The woman might have been amusing if she’d been an old hag, but the platinum blonde had a Hollywood smile and a porn-star body. “He has a twin brother,” Josie said. Shoot, the bimbo was more Dusty’s kind of woman than Dexter’s.
“You don’t say…”
“Where’s your son?” Josie asked.
“Daughter. She’s right there.”
The blond-haired child sat astride a sheep, kicking the animal with her pink cowgirl boots. Her efforts were in vain—the ewe refused to budge.
“She’s awfully brave to be down there by herself,” Josie said. The girl didn’t look any older than Matt.
“Her daddy’s with her.” A long red talon pointed to a man surrounded by rodeo groupies. “You can see why we divorced.” She shook her head. “Where have all the true-blue cowboys gone?”
Dexter’s true-blue in every way.
Suddenly the sheep Matt sat on lurched forward and almost unseated him. Josie laughed at the shocked expression on her son’s face. She hadn’t seen Matt this excited since his best friend’s birthday party a few months ago with the famous Clarence the Magical Clown. The mutton bustin’ event was partly responsible for her son’s enthusiastic mood. The other reason, she suspected, was Dexter.
Matt never stopped talking about his uncle. The other day Josie’s mother had given her an odd look when Matt went on and on about how great Mr. D was.
Mr. D says one day I can ride a mustang.
Mr. D says I’m gonna grow up to be as tall as him.
Mr. D says I can be a cowboy if I want when I grow up. Matt’s nonstop Mr. D this and Mr. D that had prompted several questioning looks from her parents, which Josie had ignored.
Josie had known this day would come—when “Mom” was no longer the center of his world. She couldn’t think of a better man for Matt to look up to than Dexter. In her heart she believed Dusty would eventually come around and be a part of Matt’s life—then he’d have plenty of male attention.
What worried Josie was how Matt would react when they had to return to California. For a kid raised in a huge metropolis, the boy had adjusted to ranch life with ease. Matt no longer asked when his favorite shows were on TV—instead he played outside most of the day, following Dexter around the barn or watching him work with the mustang. When Dexter left, Matt would spend the rest of his time whittling with his pocketknife or practice his roping skills with her father’s old rodeo rope. Bedtime was a breeze—as soon as her son’s head hit the pillow, he fell asleep.
Matt had adapted to country life so thoroughly and in such a short time that Josie questioned whether she knew what was best for her son. She’d convinced herself that California was a great place to raise a child. In truth, her own selfish wants and desires kept them in Santa Monica. She loved the sunshine. The ocean. The crowds and the festivals. Loved the variety of restaurants and ethnic foods. But Matt loved Wyoming and deserved to be near
family.
Did she dare consider returning to Markton? She’d have no trouble working remotely for corporations and lawyers who needed documentation of depositions and other business meetings and events. Once the Codys and her parents learned Dusty was Matt’s father would her and Matt’s presence create even more tension between the families or allow them to mend their differences and put the past to rest? Her father’s weak heart didn’t need any more stress.
“Mom, look at me!” Matt’s shout ended Josie’s fretting.
She waved and blew him a kiss. Dexter patted the sheep’s rump and the animal jumped forward, then turned sideways quickly and Matt tumbled to the ground. Dexter grabbed Matt by the seat of his jeans and swung him through the air and onto the back of another sheep. The animal trotted off and Dexter held on to Matt’s belt loop as he jogged alongside. Josie wished she’d thought to bring a camera today.
A few minutes later a loud buzzer sounded, signaling a rest period for the livestock. The kids removed their helmets and exited the pen. Josie turned to say goodbye to the woman next to her, but the beauty queen had disappeared.
“Did you see, Mom? Did you see? I rode a sheep,” Matt said, when Josie met up with them.
“You were terrific, honey.” She hugged her son, but he squirmed loose after a few seconds. “Mr. D says I can play the fishing game next.”
Mr. D. Soon Matt would call Dexter “Uncle Dex.”
“Okay, then.” She ruffled her son’s hair. “Off to the fishing pond.” They moseyed along the fairgrounds, Matt a few steps ahead. Dexter quieter than usual. “Is something wrong?” she asked.
“No. Why?” His terse response convinced her there was more going on in his mind than showing her and Matt a good time.
“You’ve barely looked me in the eye all morning,” she said. Did he regret their kiss? Was that why he’d brought Ricky with him all week when he’d shown up at the Lazy S to do chores and work with the mustang—because he didn’t want to be alone with her?
“Your dad showed me his rodeo trophies the other day.”
Dexter sure had become best buddies with her father.
“Seems your dad beat the pants off mine in rodeo competitions during high school.” Dexter grinned.
“Dad’s a fighter. My grandfather took off when Dad was a little kid and my grandmother had barely kept a roof over my father’s head. Dad had to scratch out a place for himself in life. It’s tough to beat sheer determination.”
Josie had a hunch their fathers’ fierce rivalry wasn’t the reason Dexter refused to make eye contact. “What else did my father say about J.W.?”
Dexter’s blue eyes turned cloudy. With worry? “Do you think there’s another reason why—aside from rodeo—our fathers don’t get along?”
Oh, boy. Had Dexter discovered J.W. had swindled her father out of valuable land? A lot of years had passed, and she wondered if both men hadn’t twisted the facts in their minds. Not wanting to dig up the past when they were having an enjoyable afternoon, she said, “Let’s not discuss our fathers—they’re both frustrating men.”
They reached the line for the fishing game. “Can I watch up there?” Matt pointed to the counter where carnival workers attached magnets to the kids’ fishing lines.
“Sure, but stand where I can see you,” Josie said.
They moved forward in the line and Josie’s boot heel came down on a rock. Her ankle twisted and she teetered. Dexter steadied her with a hand on her arm. “Thanks.” Their gazes clung and her breathing grew labored. Right then she decided he hadn’t regretted their kiss—not when his eyes threatened to devour her in broad daylight.
He released his grip on her arm and cleared his throat. “Have you decided when you’re returning to California?”
“Dad sees the doctor next week. If he gets the all-clear sign, I’ll take off at the end of the month.” Unless you give me a reason to stay. “Have you heard from Dusty?”
The muscle along Dexter’s jaw bunched. “No.”
“Don’t worry, Dex. Your brother’ll figure things out.” If Dusty didn’t come home soon, then Josie would speak to the Codys herself about Matt.
A few minutes later they reached the front of the line, and she stepped aside to watch Dexter and Matt strategize how to catch one of the bigger prizes in the pond. Matt said something that made Dexter laugh, and Josie was seduced by the cowboy all over again. As far as she was concerned, the day couldn’t go by fast enough. She wanted to return to the Lazy S where she hoped to coax another kiss from Dexter.
“I’M GONNA SHOW GRANDMA and Grandpa my new rope,” Matt said when Dexter parked in the Lazy S ranch yard. “Thanks, Mr. D.” Matt leaned over the front seat and squeezed Dexter’s neck.
“Sure thing, buddy. Glad you had a good time.”
“Tell Grandma I’ll be right in.” Once Matt shut the truck door, Josie asked, “Are you staying to check on Zeus?”
“I’d planned to. Why?”
“Nothing.” She smiled.
They got out of the truck, and Josie followed Dexter to the round pen. “I’ll get his food.” She retreated inside the barn where Dexter had left grain for the horse. While she filled the feed bins and added fresh water to the trough, Dexter entered the corral.
He spoke in low tones and the horse’s ears perked. Then she watched in amazement as the mustang moved forward and nudged Dexter’s shoulder with his nose. Dexter reached into his pocket for a sugar cube. The stallion ate the treat and trotted off.
“When do you think you’ll be able to ride him?” she asked.
“I’ll bring a saddle over on Monday and see how he reacts.” Dexter latched the gate behind him.
Josie didn’t want him to leave. “Come into the barn. I have something for you.” She entered first, then retreated into the shadows and waited.
“What is it?” Dexter stepped through the doors.
“This.” Josie slid her hand around his neck, stood on tiptoes and pressed her mouth to Dexter’s.
Taken by surprise, he froze. Josie slipped her tongue into his mouth, then took him on a wet, exhilarating ride. When she ended the kiss, they were both panting.
“Where in the world did you learn to kiss like that?” he asked, eyes warm with passion. “Never mind, I don’t want to know.”
Lips tingling, Josie inched closer. A kiss wasn’t enough anymore—she wanted to make love with Dexter.
“Josie, we need to talk.” He backed up a step.
The barn was no place to make love. What if her father or Matt had walked in on them? Good grief—all her common sense disappeared around Dexter.
“Thanks for making this day special for Matt and me.” Rising on tiptoe, she kissed his cheek, then left him alone in the barn. She had some serious thinking to do about her and Matt’s future.
Chapter Nine
Dexter’s kiss lingered on her mind when Josie entered the house. As soon as she closed the door she hurried to the front window and watched his truck drive away.
“The last time you had that dreamy look on your face Dusty had just asked you out on a date.”
“Hi, Mom.” Not in the mood to discuss her and Dexter’s relationship, Josie said, “I’d better get Matt ready for bed.”
“Your father’s got him in the tub. Come into the kitchen and keep me company while I wash the supper dishes.” Her mother walked off before Josie had a chance to protest.
Might as well get this over with. Once in the kitchen she went straight to the refrigerator. “Iced tea?”
“Sure. I’ll have a glass.” Pots and pans clanged. Cupboards opened and closed.
Josie poured two glasses of tea, then sat at the table. “Matt had a great time today.”
“I know.” Her mother glanced over her shoulder. “He wouldn’t stop talking about Mr. D.”
Nothing new there.
“Only this time,” her mother continued, her voice dropping a decibel, “he said he wished Mr. D was his dad.”
Oh, dear. She’d kno
wn Matt was becoming attached to Dexter but hadn’t realized he’d viewed his uncle as a potential father. If only her son realized how close he’d come to choosing his real father. “Did Dad flip his lid?”
Her mother rolled her eyes. “In all the years he’s been your father have you ever seen him flip his lid?”
“No.” Mostly her father resorted to giving the offender the silent treatment. She squirmed under her mother’s pointed stare. “What?”
“You’re an adult and it’s none of my business who you become involved with—” her mother held up her hand when Josie attempted to speak “—but your first responsibility is to your son.”
“I know that.” Hadn’t she raised Matt by herself the past four…almost five years?
“You have to protect him from getting his feelings hurt.”
“No one’s going to hurt him, Mom.”
“How do you suppose he’ll feel when you pack your bags and return to California?”
Josie had asked herself that question a million times over since arriving in Wyoming.
“Not until your father and I visited you in L.A. after you’d enrolled in college out there did we realize how much you’d changed. You were happier in California than you’d ever been in Markton. How will you adjust to small-town life again if—”
“You’re jumping to conclusions. No one said anything about me and Matt moving back here.”
“Dexter sure isn’t going to relocate to the West Coast.”
Were her feelings for Dexter that obvious? Josie stood. “This is none of your business, Mom.”
“You’ve already had your heart broken by one Cody.”
That was just it—Dusty hadn’t broken her heart. But Dexter—this Cody cowboy was another story. He had the potential to wreak havoc on her heart. Yet the threat of a broken heart didn’t deter her from wanting to make love to Dexter. “Don’t worry. I’m a big girl.”
“Even big girls make mistakes, honey.”
With her mother’s words ringing in her ears, Josie left the room in search of a distraction. She didn’t want to weigh the pros and cons of becoming romantically involved with a Cody—mostly because there were too many cons. What she really yearned to do was lose herself in Dexter and not worry about what tomorrow might bring.
