A Cowboy's Duty

by Marin Thomas

  The sound of a throat clearing brought Gavin back to his senses and he pulled away from Dixie. The Cash brothers had crashed his party. Johnny, Merle and Buck scowled. Porter grinned. Willie and Conway appeared indifferent to catching their sister lip-locked with Gavin.

  Dixie continued kissing him. “We’ve got company,” Gavin mumbled against her mouth.

  She sucked in a quiet breath, then scrambled to her feet and attempted to straighten her shirt and smooth her mussed hair.

  When Johnny’s gaze zeroed in on the front of Gavin’s unsnapped shirt, Gavin quickly fixed the problem. Shoot, it wasn’t as if he and Dixie had been caught frolicking beneath the pecan tree buck naked.

  “Dixie—”

  “Don’t say a word.” Brushing the dust off her fanny, she marched past her brothers, leaving Gavin alone to face the firing squad.

  “Until my sister’s wearing an engagement ring, you keep your hands to yourself, Tucker,” Johnny warned. The remaining Cash brothers nodded in agreement and followed their sister back to the farmhouse.

  Gavin stuffed his hand in his jean pocket and touched the pawnshop ring box. Now was probably a good time to officially propose. When he got back to the house Dixie’s brothers were lounging on the porch. He stopped at the bottom step. “Dixie!”

  The screen door squeaked open and she stepped outside.

  Gavin had hoped for a more private place to present Dixie with the ring. He climbed the steps and took her left hand in his, then slipped the silver band with diamond chips onto her finger.

  Dixie frowned. “What’s this?”

  “An engagement ring.”

  The Cash brothers gathered close and examined the piece of jewelry. They twisted Dixie’s hand one way then the other, lifting it toward the light. “I can’t tell,” Merle said. “Are those diamonds or cut glass?”

  “I’ll buy you a bigger diamond, if you want,” Gavin said.

  “Don’t bother.” Dixie retreated inside.

  “Way to go, Romeo.” Conway spat tobacco juice into the bushes, then the brothers filed into the house, leaving Gavin alone outside.

  Well, hell. He’d done what Johnny had asked, hadn’t he? Gavin descended the steps and walked to his truck. After the heated kiss he and Dixie had shared, they needed time to cool off—who knows how far things would have gone between them if her brothers hadn’t interrupted. At least nothing had happened—this time.

  If Gavin knew what was good for himself he’d make sure there was no next time.

  Chapter Seven

  “Oh, for goodness’ sake, spit it out,” Dixie said. Her brothers sat at the dining-room table playing with their fries and chicken wings, while casting puzzled glances her way. She supposed they questioned why she hadn’t invited Gavin for supper after he’d given her the engagement ring.

  Johnny pushed his plate aside, then nodded to the band on Dixie’s finger. “You haven’t set a wedding date.”

  “So?”

  “You’ll be showing soon and people will wonder when you and Gavin are tying the knot,” Johnny said.

  “Let them wonder.”

  “It’s not a big deal, Dixie. Pick a damn date and we’ll speak to Reverend Thomas about—”

  “I’ll get married when—” and if “—I want to.” Dixie ignored her brothers’ gapes and continued eating. If she told the truth—that she’d hoodwinked Gavin into agreeing to an engagement on a trial-run basis, allowing him to believe she’d succumb in the end and marry him when in reality she had no intention of doing so—her brothers would carry her bound and gagged to the altar.

  Buck’s quiet yet firm voice broke the silence in the room. “You’re wearing Gavin’s ring.”

  Dixie’s eyes stung at the reminder. That Gavin had bought her an engagement ring as an afterthought shouldn’t hurt, but it did.

  “A ring means you intend to marry.” Johnny scowled.

  “I’m twenty-three years old. Stop telling me what to do.” She tossed her napkin on the table. “I’ll be in the barn.”

  Dixie had more to worry about than booking a Saturday wedding at the local chapel. She still hadn’t told her brothers she’d been scammed out of five thousand dollars by a bogus online marketing firm. Inside the barn she switched on the lights and surveyed the messy worktable covered in spools of decorative ribbon and sheets of colored tissue paper. The tears she’d struggled to hold back during supper dribbled down her cheeks. Darn her seesawing hormones.

  What to do... Although Dixie appreciated Gavin offering her additional money to hire a new marketing company, she’d lost her entrepreneurial courage and self-doubt had gained a foothold inside her. She’d been a naive fool to believe she could bring her grandmother’s dream to life.

  Forcing the morose thoughts aside, she organized her supplies and stowed the herbs in airtight containers. She lost track of the time and not until headlights swept across the barn doors did she realize the sun had set. Thinking Gavin had returned, Dixie smoothed her hair and straightened her shirt before stepping from the barn and spotting Shannon Douglas’s white extended-cab pickup. Hiding her disappointment she pasted a smile on her face.

  “Hey, Shannon.” Dixie’s smile faltered when her friend’s expression remained sober. “Congrats on being sponsored by Wrangler.” Johnny had told Dixie the news.

  “Thanks.” Shannon’s green eyes dropped to Dixie’s stomach. “How are you feeling?”

  “Fine. Why?”

  Shannon stepped past Dixie and examined the soap molds. “I haven’t heard from you in forever.”

  Shannon and Dixie used to talk once a week, a simple how’s-it-going call. They’d chat about Shannon’s latest ride, or a cute cowboy one of them had run into.

  “I was afraid you were still mad at me for bailing on you at the Piney Gorge Rodeo.”

  “I’m not mad, Dix.” Shannon frowned. “Why are you here at the farm while Gavin’s riding the circuit?”

  “Where else would I be?”

  “With him.”

  “It’s not like that between us.” Dixie rubbed her thumb over Gavin’s phone number inside the heart she’d drawn. “We’re not jumping into marriage but he is going to support the baby.”

  “You’re wearing an engagement ring.” Shannon’s gaze shifted to Dixie’s hand.

  “Gavin doesn’t want people to think bad of me.”

  “Are you dragging your feet, because Gavin doesn’t seem like the kind of guy to dodge responsibility?”

  There was that damned word again—responsibility. “I’ve got six brothers who are fit to be tied over me getting pregnant. I don’t need my best friend upset with me, too.”

  “I’m not upset,” Shannon insisted. “But I know what you went through when people ridiculed your mother.”

  “Times have changed.”

  “People haven’t, Dixie. Maybe you don’t care what folks say about you but think of the baby.”

  “Gavin and I plan to remain engaged until the baby’s born.”

  “Then what—Gavin’s off the hook?”

  No, I’m off the hook. Dixie felt guilty that Gavin appeared the bad guy when in truth she was the villain. “Gavin’s not walking away from his responsibilities. He’s committed to his child.”

  Shannon opened her mouth, then shook her head and changed the subject. “I dropped by to invite you to the Bullhead City Rodeo next Saturday. If I win, Wrangler will fly me to Florida to compete in a special women’s rough stock event which will be broadcast live on TV.”

  “I’d love to watch you ride,” Dixie said.

  “Bullhead City is four hours away. You shouldn’t make the drive alone in case—”

  “I’m pregnant, not dying from an incurable disease.”

  Shannon laughed. “I can’t picture you a mother
.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I hope it’s a boy.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re a tomboy and you wouldn’t know the first thing about playing with dolls or having tea parties.”

  “You can leave now if you’re through badgering me.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I’m going.” Shannon hugged Dixie. “Take care of yourself.”

  “I will. And, Shannon...thanks for stopping by.”

  “No problem. I want to make sure that kid knows I’m his favorite aunt.”

  Dixie watched the taillights of Shannon’s truck disappear. Resting a hand over her tummy, she asked, “Are you a boy or a girl?” At only ten weeks pregnant Dixie hadn’t felt the baby kick. The doctor told her to expect a fluttering sensation between the sixteenth and eighteenth week—the time Dixie had hoped to launch her website business. She’d so wanted a game plan in place for supporting her child before she felt the first kick and the baby suddenly became real.

  She closed her eyes and thought back to earlier in the afternoon when Gavin had kissed her in the pecan grove. He was an accomplished kisser—just the right amount of pressure, tongue, nibbles and nuzzles to make her crave more.

  After discovering she’d been ripped off by the phony marketing firm she’d channeled her fear into anger. When Gavin had caught her throwing rocks at the tree, the anger had given way to fear again. The impulse to rush into his arms and trust him to right the wrongs done to her had scared Dixie to death. Her grandmother had taught her to be self-sufficient and relying on Gavin would only hurt her in the long run. When the wanderlust bug bit him, he’d return to rodeo and leave Dixie with a broken heart.

  Dixie was certain she’d pegged Gavin correctly—so why had he bothered with an engagement ring? She twirled the band on her finger. As far as rings went this one was old-fashioned—certainly nothing that spoke of a man’s undying love and passion for his bride-to-be.

  Was there a chance Gavin might one day possess real feelings for her—not thoughts of responsibility toward her and the baby, but genuine, heartfelt caring? Did she dare believe she and Gavin could make it as a couple?

  No. The only reason Gavin remained a part of her life was because of the baby. To believe anything more would bring heartbreak—hers.

  Her gaze returned to Gavin’s cell number. She was capable of driving four hours to a rodeo and back home the same day. Besides, one or more of her brothers was probably headed to the same rodeo. A four-hour inquisition from her brothers was enough to convince her to call Gavin. She pushed two on her speed dial.

  “What’s wrong, Dixie?”

  Gavin’s abrupt question startled her, leaving her speechless.

  “Dixie? You there?”

  “I’m here and nothing’s the matter.”

  “You never call. I thought...”

  “Got a minute?”

  “Sure.”

  Instead of discussing the upcoming Bullhead City Rodeo, she said, “You didn’t stay for supper.”

  “I wasn’t invited.”

  “In case you weren’t aware,” she said, “my brothers and I haven’t had the privilege of attending Miss Manners Charm School.”

  “Are you being funny, Ms. Cash?”

  Dixie smiled at the note of humor in Gavin’s voice. “Hardly.”

  “What’s on your mind?”

  “Do you plan to ride in the Bullhead City Rodeo next Saturday?”

  “I had planned to. Why?”

  “Shannon Douglas wants me to watch her compete and I thought maybe I could hitch a ride with you.”

  “I’ll pick you up early in the morning.”

  Silence filled the connection, then they spoke simultaneously.

  “Gavin.”

  “Dixie.”

  “You go first,” he said.

  “No, you.”

  “Never mind, it was nothing. See you Saturday,” he said.

  “Okay, sure.”

  “And, Dixie?”

  “What?”

  “I’m sorry about the jerk who stole your money.”

  Dixie’s throat swelled with emotion. “Good night.” Gavin was far from perfect but he was a decent, caring—sexy—man.

  You keep forgetting you’re not his type.

  Baby aside, if Gavin had his pick of women, no way would he choose a pecan farmer’s granddaughter. Dixie would just have to settle for Gavin coming in and out of her life to visit the baby. Now, if only he’d cooperate and stop making her want him.

  * * *

  WOW.

  Gavin’s eyes were glued to Dixie who stood on the porch waiting for him as he barreled up the drive. She looked h-o-t in the denim miniskirt and bandanna-print tank top. Red boots drew his attention to her sexy legs. No man on earth would look at this woman and suspect she was pregnant.

  Gavin shifted into Park and frowned. Why was Dixie dressed to kill? They were going to a rodeo, not a night on the town and besides, she was pregnant and engaged.

  Maybe she dressed that way for you.

  Yeah, right. Dixie’s lack of excitement when he’d slid the engagement ring on her finger was proof enough she had reservations about him. What did you expect?

  Okay, so his official proposal wasn’t exactly a romantic bended-knee declaration of undying love, but she could cut him some slack—her brothers had been watching.

  You gave her someone’s cast-off ring.

  Gavin hopped out of the truck and rounded the hood, opening the passenger-side door and offering Dixie a hand up. She painted her nails. The bright red color was at odds with the down-to-earth woman he knew.

  “Thanks for letting me tag along to the rodeo.” She tugged her hand free and shut the door in his face.

  They hadn’t seen each other in six days—didn’t that at least merit a smile?

  The past week had been a whirlwind of activity as he’d come to accept that if he pushed Dixie too hard about marriage she’d flee across the border to Mexico to escape exchanging vows with him. In any event, he decided that if he got to pursue his own itinerary Dixie should be allowed to do the same.

  When he got in the truck, the scent of honeysuckle surrounded him—better than the usual fast-food and coffee smells. “You look nice,” he said, starting the engine.

  “Thanks.”

  “Are your brothers competing today?”

  “I think Merle and Buck are. They left at the crack of dawn.”

  They drove in silence to the main road. “When’s your next doctor’s appointment?”

  “I had one yesterday.”

  He waited for Dixie to tell him how she and the baby were doing but she didn’t. “Everything okay with—”

  “The baby’s fine.”

  “What about you?”

  “What about me?”

  She had to know he was concerned about her health, too. “Did the doctor say you’re fine, as well?”

  “Yes.”

  Communicating with an Afghan villager was easier than conversing with Dixie. Maybe she wasn’t comfortable discussing the changes in her body. He pushed her. “Do you have morning sickness?”

  “I did, but this past week it tapered off.”

  “What about cravings?”

  “Pickles.”

  He chuckled. “No sweet cravings like ice cream or pie?” Gavin’s mother had told him that she’d loved banana splits while she’d been pregnant with him.

  “Not yet, thank goodness. I’m hoping I don’t gain too much weight with this pregnancy.”

  “You won’t have a problem losing whatever you gain.” He cast an appreciative glance across the seat. “You’re in great shape.” His compliment turned her cheeks pink.

  “What have you been up to
lately?” she asked.

  Aside from seeing Dixie’s dream come to fruition... “I competed in a small rodeo up in Blythe this past Sunday. A one-day event.”

  “How’d you—”

  “Lost.” Again.

  “Did you run into Veronica Patriot there?”

  “Yep.” That Dixie worried about the buckle bunny convinced Gavin she wasn’t as immune to him as she’d have him believe. “Veronica wanted to know if the rumors were true.” He looked at Dixie. “If we were engaged.”

  “What did you tell her?”

  “The truth.”

  “She must have freaked out.”

  “She wasn’t happy.”

  Dixie drummed her fingers on the armrest. “Mind if I ask a personal question?”

  “Go right ahead.”

  “When you’re not rodeoing...where’s home?”

  If he said his truck would she think him pathetic? “My mother’s place in Phoenix.” A partial truth. On occasion he visited his mother but never stayed the night. Mostly he lived in motel rooms or slept in the backseat of his truck.

  He turned on the radio, exhaling a shaky breath when Dixie reclined in her seat and closed her eyes. He’d keep quiet so she could catch a nap before they arrived in Bullhead City. He wanted her in a good mood later tonight when he stopped in Yuma to show her the surprise he’d put together this week for her.

  Delayed by construction on Highway 95, Gavin didn’t pull up to the fairgrounds until almost noon. When he didn’t grab his gear from the backseat Dixie frowned. “I thought you were riding today?”

  “Changed my mind,” he said. No way would he have been able to concentrate, knowing Dixie was in the stands watching him. They weaved their way through the crowd inside the arena.

  “What made you change your mind?” she asked.

  “I tweaked my shoulder during the last rodeo and it’s still sore,” he fibbed.

  “Maybe you should see a doctor.”

  The concern in Dixie’s voice surprised Gavin. He couldn’t remember anyone, save for his mother, worrying about him. “I’ll get to a doctor if it’s not better in a week.”