One Good Cowboy

by Catherine Mann

  A gasp hitched in her throat as she looked down at a page filled with all the fantasy jewelry pieces he’d described wanting to create just for her, and in the middle of it all, a drawing of her sitting in a field of bluebonnets with Pearl beside her. The attention to detail was mind-blowing, even down to the weave of her French braid.

  The whole time she’d thought he was pushing her away, he’d been focused completely on her.

  * * *

  Stone secured the latch on Ruby’s crate. The Rottweiler stared back with droopy sad eyes as she curled up on her fluffy green dog bed. He plucked a dog biscuit from the bin beside the crates and passed a treat through. This week with Johanna was getting more and more complicated and he didn’t know how to return to the connection they’d enjoyed while staying at the beach.

  She knelt beside him, sliding Pearl into the smaller crate with a pink doggie bed and a couple of chew toys. Just as she locked the pup in, the plane jostled again. And again. Johanna tumbled against him, knocking him back. He twisted fast to cushion her fall with his body.

  Johanna stretched out on top of him. “Oh, my, that was something.”

  He tugged her loose ponytail. “I’m not right for you and you shouldn’t settle.”

  “I know that, and yet here we are.”

  God, he knew he wasn’t good enough for her and still he could already hear that voice in the back of his mind insisting he try to repair the damage that had been done in the past and clear away obstacles to their future.

  She wriggled against him enticingly. “Do we have enough time to slip away into the back cabin before we land?”

  He clamped a hand on her bottom, acknowledging that he was still unable to resist this woman. He couldn’t envision a time he could ever keep her at arm’s length. So yeah, he was a selfish bastard. “Keep moving like that and we won’t need much time at all.”

  Laughing, she leaned down to kiss him. The turbulence dipped the plane, and they rolled, slamming against the dog crates.

  The captain’s voice rumbled over the intercom, announcing the need to return to their seats and buckle in until they cleared the turbulence.

  Stone’s low curse whispered between them before he levered off her. He extended a hand to help her up while bracing his other palm along her back protectively to steady her as they returned to the sofa and dug out the seat belts. He took the sketch pad, flipped it closed fast and tossed it aside.

  She clicked the lap belt and tugged the strap. “I felt much better for Ruby after hearing the Renshaws’ feedback. Makes me hopeful that will work well, too. I wish we knew more about Pearl’s family in Montana.”

  “Honestly, I’m surprised my grandmother isn’t keeping Ruby, since that’s the one dog she chose rather than adopting from someone else. I never thought to ask Gran about Ruby’s history. She just said she got Ruby at a shelter, nothing more.”

  “Your grandmother seemed lonely after she retired from the board at Diamonds in the Rough. So I took her to the animal shelter. She chose a new friend. Ruby was a stray, no known history, but they took to each other right away.”

  “You’re a good woman, Johanna. I’ve always known that, though.” His hand fell on her knee.

  “Don’t try the übercharmer act on me.” She leaned closer and tapped him on the chin.

  “It’s not an act,” he denied even as he slid his hand under the hem of her dress, ideas flourishing for ways to please her in spite of the seat belt. “If I were just trying to charm you, I would compliment your beautiful face or your hot body....” He skimmed up the inside of her thigh, welcoming the distraction from more serious talk and concerns. If only he could lose himself in her infinitely.

  “Which is all true, of course,” he continued. “That’s what reeled me into asking you out. But the good woman part?” He squeezed her thigh without moving any higher. “That’s what kept me around. That’s why I proposed. And ultimately, that’s why you left me.”

  “What are you trying to accomplish?” There was anguish in her beautiful eyes, but a whisper of hope that spurred him on and crystalized his thoughts.

  “It’s a warning, I guess,” he said somberly, sliding his hand from under her dress to take her fingers in his. “You are a good woman, and you deserve better than what I have to offer. But that isn’t going to stop me from offering and asking again.”

  Her throat moved in a slow swallow. “Stone—”

  “Shh.” He pressed a finger to her lips. “I don’t want you to answer yet. You should think. And just so you know, all I can think about is peeling your clothes away piece by piece, then making love to you in a field of bluebonnets.”

  “Are you really suggesting we just have sex and...drift?”

  “If that means I get more time with you, then yes,” he answered without hesitation. “There is no one else I’ll be spending my life with. You were it, Johanna. My one shot at the whole happily-ever-after gig.”

  He cupped her face and drew her to him, easy to do as she leaned into him. Her fingers fluttered along his cheek, falling to rest on his shoulders. Her light touch stirred him every bit as much as her most bold caress.

  Damn straight, there was no one for him other than Johanna. He deepened the kiss, her soft lips parting for him, inviting him in to taste, take and give. The warmth of her seeped into him, fanning the flames that never died. She was in his blood, now and always.

  He tugged the band from her hair and combed his fingers through the strands. The feel of her hair gliding along his hands was pure bliss, like the wind sliding over him when he rode on the open land. He played it out along her back and over her shoulders before stroking down her arms.

  His hand returned to her knee and tunneled under her silky dress, along her even silkier thigh. His knuckles skimmed her satin panties, already hot from her arousal, and he ached to know what color she wore—

  The plane’s phone rang from beside the sofa, jarring him from the kiss and the moment. Who would call in the middle of the night? Only family and only with an emergency.

  With more than a little regret, he ended the kiss and pulled away from Johanna, alarms already sounding in his mind. He angled past her to snag the phone and read the screen. He glanced at Johanna, apprehension filling his gut as his suspicion was confirmed.

  “It’s Amie.” He frowned, thumbing the on button and activating the speakerphone. “Amie, what’s up? You’re on speaker. Johanna’s here with me.”

  “Gran’s in the hospital.” His cousin’s voice trembled, and Stone exchanged a quick glance with Johanna. “She had a seizure, Stone. It... It was...horrible. We had to call an ambulance.”

  Dread hit him like a boulder. “I’m on my way. I’ll have the pilot turn around, and we’ll be there in a few hours. Hold on, okay, kiddo?”

  He vaguely registered Johanna’s hand smoothing along his back.

  Amie hiccupped on the other end of the line. “I’m sorry to be such a mess. It was just really frightening.” The sound of her shaky breath reverberated on the crackly connection. “Alex and I can hold down the fort until you get here. The doctor says she’s past the immediate danger, but...”

  “I’m on my way,” he repeated, pulling his focus in tight. He was the head of his family. He should be home overseeing the business and the family affairs for his grandmother, not playing games.

  He owed his grandmother and Johanna better. From this point on, he was 100 percent in when it came to taking care of his family, and Johanna was going to be a member of his family.

  Whatever it took.

  Nine

  Johanna’s stomach dropped as the hospital elevator rose, taking them to Mariah.

  Fear for Mariah and grief for Stone had tumbled and tangled inside her ever since the panicked call from Amie came through. And no matter how much she worried, there was nothing
she could do to console Stone or make this better.

  They should be bonded in the moment, leaning on each other while they were both scared and hurting, but instead she could see him drawing inward. Rather than letting anyone close, Stone took on the leader of the pack mentality that had kept him at the office late so many nights. Since he’d hung up the phone, he’d been in motion. He’d moved up front with the pilot to discuss rerouting the plane. A limo had met them at the airport driving them to the ranch to drop off the dogs and grab a quick shower.

  Now, medical personnel on the fourth floor milled around the nurses’ station watching over their patients through cameras and observation windows. His grandmother had plenty of watchful eyes but Stone had already started researching other hospitals and doctors without even consulting the rest of the family. God, she hoped there wouldn’t be a major argument with Stone and his cousins.

  The head nurse waved him through before returning to her charts. Stone had called ahead to confirm the minute morning visiting hours began. She didn’t even want to consider the fact that they could have arrived too late.

  Mariah looked pale and small under the stark white sheet, sleeping. Only the steady rise and fall of her chest and the monitors beeping and clicking offered any reassurance that she was still alive.

  Stone swept off his hat, set it on the rolling tray and moved closer to his grandmother. His boots thudded softly against the tile floors.

  Mariah’s lashes fluttered upward, her eyes surprisingly clear and alert, thank heavens. “You’re here.” She reached out a thin hand, her skin almost translucent. “I told your cousins not to worry you. Which one called?”

  “I’m not ratting anyone out,” he teased softly.

  Mariah laughed softly. “You three always did stick together.” She looked past him and smiled at Johanna, lifting her other hand with the IV line taped down. “Dear girl, come closer. You can both do away with those gloom and doom looks on your faces.”

  Johanna stroked Mariah’s wrist. “Of course we’re worried. You would feel the same if our positions were reversed.”

  “True enough,” Mariah conceded. “But I’m okay. It was only a case of dehydration. Nothing to do with the tumor. I let myself get run-down and just needed a little boost. It’s my own fault, and I’m so sorry they scared you into coming home unnecessarily.”

  “Gran, you don’t need to lie to me.” Stone’s forehead furrowed, his face bristly since he’d rushed his shower and skipped the shave. “I already know you had a seizure.”

  “Damn it, I told Amie and Alex not to worry you, and don’t bother denying one of them told you,” she groused with enough spunk that Johanna relaxed a hint. “I’m not going to die this week, so you two don’t need to park by my bed and babysit me. You have work to do.”

  Stone dropped into the chair by her bed. “They knew how angry I would be once I found out no one bothered to call me. And believe me, I would have found out.”

  “You’re just like me.” She smiled fondly. “Tenacious.”

  “I’m just glad you’re all right, Gran.” He glanced across his grandmother at Johanna, the strain of the past few hours showing in the lines fanning from his sapphire-blue eyes. “We both are.”

  Mariah squeezed Johanna’s hand. “Tell me about your trip so far. The pictures are wonderful but I want to hear what you think, Johanna.”

  Mariah was shifting topics deftly, ensuring Stone wouldn’t have to battle through weightier emotions right now. Or was it Mariah who wasn’t ready to face those feelings today? Johanna had never fully appreciated how alike the two of them really were. But for now, she gladly distracted both of them with talk of a safe subject.

  “Well, Gem loves the wide-open space of the Donavans’ home, and their home in Monte Carlo has a fenced area, as well. Sterling is enjoying his life as a pampered lapdog. You chose well for both of them.”

  Her eyelids fluttered closed for a moment before she looked up at Stone and Johanna again with a mist of tears in her eyes. “Thank you, and I truly mean that.”

  “Gran.” Stone leaned in. “Are you sure you want us to continue with the placements? You could keep Pearl and Ruby. Trust that we will take care of finding them new homes, if the time comes—” He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple making a slow trip down the strong column of his throat. “If the time comes you can’t care for them anymore.”

  Johanna had to blink her eyes hard. God, maybe it was her who wasn’t ready to face the big emotions in the room today. Mariah had become so dear to her. A role model. A friend.

  “I’m absolutely certain that I want you to continue the plan.” She smiled sadly. “I already can’t give them the attention they need. Call me a micromanager if you will, but I need to know where they are and who they’re with.”

  “Gran—” Stone’s phone cut him short and he cursed softly. He pulled out the cell and checked the incoming call, before silencing the chimes and tucking the phone back in his pocket.

  His grandmother touched his wrist. “Who is it? Your cousins?”

  He shook his head. “It’s from Montana. Probably something about Pearl. I’ll take it later.”

  “No,” Mariah said with surprising strength. “That’s important business to me.”

  His cheeks puffed out with an exhale. “Okay, Gran. If that’s what you want, but I’ll be right back.”

  Phone to his ear, head ducked, he strode out, door swooshing closed behind him.

  Mariah patted Johanna’s hand. “Pull up a seat and talk to me, Johanna. How is it really going, dear?”

  “What do you mean?” she asked evasively, looking away under the guise of tugging a chair over.

  “No need to be coy,” Mariah tsked. “Are you and Stone a couple again?”

  Johanna dropped into a seat. “Wow, you really cut to the chase.”

  “I don’t have time to dillydally around the subject.” Mariah pushed the controls to raise the head of the mattress. “Even at half speed in this hospital bed, I can tell the chemistry is alive and well. I see the exchanged glances. You have to know I was hoping your trip together would fix things between you. Did my matchmaking work?”

  The optimism in the woman’s face was unmistakable. Johanna didn’t want to give false hope, and she wasn’t sure where things stood with Stone right now. “I wish I could tell you what you want to hear, but I honestly don’t know.”

  “The fact that you didn’t deny it outright gives me hope.”

  Johanna sagged back, rolling her eyes. “But no pressure, right?”

  “You’re more confident now than you were a year ago.” She nodded approvingly. “That’s a good thing. Your parents would be very proud of you.”

  She couldn’t deny that Mariah’s words of encouragement meant a great deal to her. “Thank you. I appreciate that, but please just focus on taking care of yourself. You’re important to a lot of people.”

  “You’ve always been dear.”

  Johanna scrunched her nose. “You make me sound wimpy.”

  “I just told you I see your confidence and I meant that.” Mariah studied her with perceptive eyes. “But there is a gentleness to you that my grandson needs in his life. It softens his harsher edges.”

  Johanna found herself growing defensive on his behalf. “Why is it that everyone assumes because his mother named him Stone he’s hard-hearted?”

  Mariah smiled. “And that’s why you’re perfect for him.”

  * * *

  Stone ended his phone call the second he saw Amie and Alex entering the visitors’ waiting room. The muted sounds from a mounted television broadcasting a talk show mingled with the soft conversations from a handful of other people in the waiting area. Fake plants and magazine racks were tucked into one corner. A coffeepot gurgled in the other.

  He and his cousins had spent lit
tle time alone together since their grandmother’s announcement. His gut twisted at the realization they would be meeting up in waiting rooms like this many more times in the coming months.

  In light of that, any bickering between them felt like a waste of precious time. And the frustration with the Montana family that had changed their mind about Pearl? He would deal with that later.

  He had Johanna’s reassurance that there was nothing between her and Alex, and Stone couldn’t blame his cousin. Johanna was an amazing woman.

  Alex stuffed his hands in his jean pockets and rocked back on his boot heels. “You’ve seen Gran already?”

  Stone nodded, tucking an arm around Amie, her shoulders too thin beneath her silk blouse. “She seems alert, just tired. Thank you for calling me.”

  Amie hugged him back quickly before stepping away. “Alex said not to bother you.”

  Alex shrugged. “I’ve got things under control here, so you can finish up your business with the dogs.”

  Stone held back the urge to chew out Alex for being an ass. Even his quiet cousin would have blown a gasket if left out of the loop on news about Mariah’s health.

  Torqued at Alex’s attitude, Stone couldn’t resist jabbing, “Wait until you’re the one turning your life upside down to make her happy. And you know damn well you both will.”

  He glowered at his cousin until he was sure Alex understood he wouldn’t have appreciated being left in the dark about Gran. Then, hoping to distract Amie, he asked, “Any idea from Gran about what test she has in mind for the two of you?”

  Amie shuffled from high heel to high heel, gnawing her thumbnail. “She hasn’t mentioned it, but you know there’s no rushing Gran. She has a plan and a reason for everything she does.” She looked at her hand as if only just realizing she was chewing her nails down to nothing. She tucked her fist behind her back. “Have you told your mother yet?”

  “Why would I?” Stone retorted quickly. “If Gran wants to see her, she’ll tell her.”