Ben’s hands and arms cushioned her body against the hard clay as he cradled her buttocks, taking care to maintain their intimate connection. As he massaged and caressed, his fingers crept upward to her sweet spot. He stroked and teased, arousing her again as he grew hard inside her.
Maggie squeezed him deep inside and moaned, “Ben, no,” knowing full well that her body was screaming, Yes, yes, take me again.
This time he moved slowly, plunging and withdrawing, over and over again in agonizing rhythm. His kisses delved deeper, then trailed down her neck to capture her rounded breasts.
“Let me love you, Maggie.”
“Yes,” she gasped, and they moved as one, each crying out as they climaxed together, bodies flush with the fury of their passion.
As they caught their breath, Ben brought her with him as he lay back against the outcropping. He held her close and drank in the scent he adored, endeavoring to memorize every sensation, already missing her for the week he would be away. “You okay?” He kissed her forehead, tenderly brushing a lock of hair to the side.
She nodded and reached up, and her slender fingers cupped his face. “I’m perfect, but also late. We’ve got to go.”
Later, as they exited the narrow trail and came into the open, Ben brought Rowdy up beside Maggie and Tabasco. “You’re incredible with him. ”
She flashed him a beautiful smile. “To be honest, I was scared to death of him at first, but he’s a marshmallow. Wish we could hang on to him. If I had the money, I’d buy him.”
“Why don’t I talk to Dad? It’s not as if he went to Kentucky and spent half a million on him. He was headed to the glue factory. My guess is that—”
“Don’t you dare. The ranch has invested a ton in these mustangs, and I do not accept charity.”
“So, how about we lobby to keep him as a stable horse?”
“For what purpose? Most people are scared to death of him.”
“Not you.”
“But I’m not a customer paying eighty dollars an hour for lessons.”
“Still, it doesn’t look like he’s goin’ anywhere in a hurry. When’s the next Border Patrol agent due in for training?”
“Two will be here in three weeks.”
“A lot can happen in three weeks. Just out of curiosity, what would you do with him if you had him?”
“Ben, I’m serious. I am not discussing this!”
“Promise, scout’s honor, I will do and say nothing. I just wondered what you’d do with a brute like him.”
“Well, ride him, for one thing. And, my dream is—” She stopped short and stared ahead before turning to him.
“I won’t tell, promise.”
“My dream is to open a riding camp for disabled kids. The children at Emma’s day program would love a place like this.”
“That’s a terrific idea. Does that mean you’re ready to let Emma ride?”
“Not until I’m sure it won’t cause more damage to her spine.”
“About that. I know it’s none of my business, but have you exhausted all possibilities? There’s so much research going on with spinal injuries. I’m not minimizing the extent of Emma’s injuries, but kids’ bodies are pretty resilient. As someone who broke a lot of bones before my teens, I can attest to how easily we youngins bounce back.”
“I made an appointment with Rose’s clinic. She was kind enough to get us in next week.”
“That’s terrific news.” As they circled the corral, he reined Rowdy in. “Hold on a sec, Maggie.”
Without missing a beat, Tabasco stopped and waited, still and steady. Maggie looked quizzically at Ben. Her heart melted as the rugged, handsome cowboy took her hand. Ben Morgan had rocked her world to its foundations. How could she resist him?
“Maggie, please, I’m begging you. Let me help you. My partners and I have made a ton of money with our companies. They both have families and two and three homes, but I have nothing and no one to spend my money on. Please let me do this for Emma.”
“I can’t.”
“But there may be a limited window of time for her before it’s no longer possible.”
Maggie slipped off Tabasco and draped his reins over her shoulder as he followed her. “I appreciate the offer, Ben. I truly do, but I can’t.”
Ben jumped down and tied Rowdy to the fence as he moved to stand in front of her. “Okay, okay, I get it, but please promise me this. If Rose and her colleagues see hope and there’s a time frame for corrective measures, you will at least consider a loan. I could arrange very favorable terms.”
Maggie gazed into his kind eyes. “Thank you. I mean that sincerely. I promise to think about it.”
* * *
Chapter 24
Black clouds hung over the valley as the group of twenty-two assembled at the stables. The previous evening, they had been wined and dined by Leonora and Ben Sr. as their handsome guides mingled among them, charming the pants off everyone, especially the six women in the party. As she listened to the banter, Maggie rolled her eyes, glad to be in the background as the group prepared to ride.
“So, honey,” a buxom, blonde beauty drawled, batting her eyelashes at Harley. “Looks like rain. Where should I stow my jacket so it’s handy?”
Harley flashed his most dazzling come-hither smile. “It’s good luck starting a trip in the rain. Don’t worry about jackets. We carry ponchos for everyone. If the skies open up, you’ll be fully covered.”
“Sugar, you can cover me any ole time.”
“What d’ya wanta bet that accent is less than five minutes old?” Ben whispered, startling Maggie.
“Well, you’d better watch out for that accent and her friends, too.”
“Honey,” he drawled, “I’m all growed up. Kin take care of myself with the likes of her.”
“Very funny.” Would there ever be a day when women were not throwing themselves at Ben Morgan and his equally gorgeous friend? How did she and Ruthie stand a chance?
“Will you miss me?”
She was afraid to answer truthfully when her heart already ached at the thought of their week’s separation. “Not with all the extra work Jeb and I will have to pick up in your absence.”
“So, I’m already indispensible? I like that.”
“Take care of yourself, cowboy,” she whispered, then headed over to help with the pack horses.
Well, that’s something. As Ben watched her retreat, he felt the now familiar longing in his loins and his chest. As the group started up the trail, a week seemed like an eternity, and he realized he would miss her more than he had ever missed anyone in his life.
* * *
Chapter 25
Early Tuesday morning, Maggie dressed Emma, and the two of them headed to Tucson for their nine o’clock appointment at the Heavers Clinic. Ned had offered to go with them, but Maggie suggested he take the day off and hang out with his buddies. After some grumbling, he had acquiesced, understanding that this was a trip Maggie wanted to take alone. They had barely checked in at Reception when Rose appeared and ushered them to her office, passing a full waiting room of young patients and their caregivers.
Almost immediately, Dr. Heavers appeared, and they spent nearly forty-five minutes talking. He informally assessed Emma’s mobility and discussed possible next steps. Maggie had sent copies of all Emma’s medical records to Rose, and it was clear that he had read them carefully. At the conclusion of the visit, he moved his chair close to Emma’s wheelchair and smiled, a kind, genuine smile, as he took her hands in his own.
“If you’re willing, young lady, I’d like to do a few tests, take some pictures, and see how your back’s doing.”
Emma smiled shyly. “Will it hurt?”
“Not if I can help it.”
“I can do it.”
Tears sprung to Maggie’s eyes as her brave four-year-old agreed to yet another agonizing round of poking and prodding. Rose leaned forward and squeezed her hand. Maggie smiled gratefully, accepting the tissue box the other wom
an held out to her. While she might be a rival for Ben Morgan’s affections, Rose Dillon had brought Maggie and Emma to Dr. Heavers and had given them hope for the first time in two years.
She turned to Rose. “Would it be possible for Emma to look at all those great books in the waiting room? She spotted them when we came in.”
Her daughter gave her a puzzled look, but before she could speak, Rose stood. “Wonderful idea! Shall we, Emma? I’ll show you my favorites!”
When the door closed behind Emma and Rose, Maggie turned to Dr. Heavers. “I am so grateful for your time, but there is an issue of cost. There is no way my insurance or my bank account could ever pay for extensive tests, treatments, and surgeries. I’ve been trying to save, but at this rate, Emma will be an adult before I have half enough to cover your fees.”
Kind eyes gazed at her. Then he reached out and covered her trembling hands with his own.
“My dear Ms. Williams, perhaps Rose didn’t explain. This is a research institution. There would be little or no cost to you should Emma receive treatment here. I’m not going to lie to you. I’ve studied her charts. The damaged area of her spine is very difficult to repair. The success rate is slim, but we have several new techniques and ways to regenerate the tissues that show promise. She’s young, and her growing body will actually help us. I’d like to take a closer look. Then we’ll talk again. Would that be acceptable to you?”
Tears spilled over as Maggie slumped forward, head in hands. He patted her shoulder while she sobbed and wondered if this was all a dream. Finally she sat up and hiccupped back the tears. “It’s been such a terrible two years of surgeries, tests, and hopes raised, then dashed. Promising treatments completely out of our reach because of money. Through all of it, Emma has been such a trooper, never complaining, always smiling. They call her Sunshine at her care facility because she keeps everyone, children and adults, smiling.”
“She’s a lovely child. You have reason to be proud.”
“I am proud, but more than anything, I’m scared. Scared that we’ll raise her hopes only to dash them again.”
“Then why don’t we say we’re doing this round of tests to see how she’s growing and to decide what kinds of chairs and equipment she’ll need soon? Does she even remember when she could walk?”
Maggie shook her head.
“Then, like so many childhood milestones, if it happens, it will seem like a miracle. If it doesn’t, perhaps she is accustomed to the life she has? I will have my clinical coordinator schedule the tests, and she’ll be in touch. In the meantime, can I answer any other questions for you?”
“I wondered—with what you’ve looked at with her x-rays and other reports, do you think it would be dangerous for her to ride? I work as a horse trainer at Morgan’s Run in Saguaro. Emma adores horses and has been begging me to let her ride.”
“It might be fine, but I’d rather take a look at the new test results and see what’s going on with her spine before I say yes. Would that be okay?”
Maggie thanked him, and found Emma and Rose sprawled on the waiting room floor reading Sheila Rae, the Brave. Rose read expressively as Emma stared wide-eyed and entranced by the story.
Emma looked up and waved. “Hi, Mom. Can we finish the story?”
Maggie nodded and took a seat beside them as Rose finished reading the story animatedly. A few minutes later, she walked them out. After Maggie had settled Emma into her car seat, she closed the door and turned to the other woman, giving her a hug.
“Thank you. I cannot tell you how grateful I am.”
“Dr. Heavers is the best. They called him the Miracle Worker at Boston Children’s. If there’s anything that can be done for Emma, he’ll find a way to do it.”
* * *
Chapter 26
Jeb leaned against an open paddock door, watching Maggie as she flew around the barn, grabbing tack and hurling instructions to the summer workers mucking out the stalls. “Hey, Boss, who lit a fire under you?”
Since Harley and Ben Morgan departed, Maggie had been a bit on the manic side, but today, she was berserk. The first day of summer pony camp was always hectic, and they were also juggling a bunch of private riding lessons. Four college kids had joined them for the summer months and Jeb watched as the four scurried around, attempting to do her bidding.
Annoyed at his laissez-faire affect, Maggie stopped long enough to glare in her assistant’s direction.
“They’ll be here any minute! Where are the training straps, for Christ’s sake! I told you we needed all of them out here!“
“Whoa, whoa. It’s the advanced camp this week, remember? Beginners are next week.”
One of the college workers, Jill approached them, pushing a wheelbarrow full of soiled hay. “A couple of cars just pulled in.”
Maggie threw up her hands. “Oh, great, and we’re not even close to being ready!”
“Thanks, Jill,” Jeb said, then turned to face his boss. “I’ll go out and meet ’em. Where are we gathering, picnic tables?”
“Fine.”
Maggie glanced at Jill, frozen and clearly afraid to make a move. What is wrong with you, Maggie Williams? She took a deep breath. The constant worry about Emma’s upcoming tests and the ache in her heart at missing Ben were literally driving her crazy.
“Sorry, guys, I’ve been a bitch on wheels. Jill, why don’t you dump that and go out with Jeb? He can take the first group around, and you can direct the others as they arrive, okay?”
Jill nodded and followed Jeb as Maggie headed back to the stalls and directed the others to come out to the meeting area when they completed their mucking out chores.
* * *
Chapter 27
True to his word, Dr. Heavers’s clinician called the day after their initial visit, and Emma’s marathon of tests began the following day. At Rose’s urging, they had pushed her to the front of the line, a testament to the high esteem with which Dr. Heavers regarded his young protégé. By the time the pack trip straggled in after eight days on the trail, Maggie, Emma, and Ned had made several daylong trips to Tucson and one to Phoenix, to labs, clinics, and special diagnostic centers.
As she and Jeb watched the line of riders wend their way down the pass, Maggie reached into her back pocket and pulled out the message Jeb had taken for her an hour earlier. Dr. Heavers wanted to schedule a few additional tests the next day. He had also requested that they find a time for him to meet with her alone, without Emma.
“You’re worried, aren’t you?”
“It’s hell, if you want to know the truth.”
“No matter what, Em’s gonna be fine. You believe that, don’t you?”
Maggie nodded, patting his forearm. “Thanks, partner. Let’s get cracking. These guys are gonna be whipped and probably need help dismounting. Call the others and pull out the steps and crates.”
Ben led the group, with Rowdy, spirited as ever, chomping at the bit to get home. Even with his face covered with trail dust, her lover was drop-dead gorgeous, tanned after days on the trail. Maggie’s heart fluttered as he caught sight of her and waved.
As Ben caught sight of her , he could see something was wrong. Her lovely face was drawn, her color ashen. His beloved looked as though she’d lost twenty pounds. A moan from behind pulled his attention away. Cassie Breedmore fell forward and nearly slipped from her mount.
“Hey, girl, hold on. Almost there.”
Ben dismounted and rushed back in time to catch the petite redhead as she slipped from the saddle and swooned into his arms.
Maggie turned to Jeb. “Better get the jeep. Clearly some of this lot won’t be able to walk to the Lodge.”
When the last of the group had departed by foot, jeep, or ranch’s van, the four college workers cooled down the horses, stored the gear, and sorted the equipment for cleaning or storage. After Cassie’s collapse, there had not been a minute even to say hello, but as Maggie packed up to go, Ben stepped into the office.
“Hey, stranger. You okay?�
��
Before she could stop to think, Maggie crossed the distance between them and threw herself into his strong arms, drinking in his familiar scent, comforted by his heat and nearness.
“Oh, Ben, it’s so good to have you back.”
“Mmm, that’s what I like to hear. Sweetheart, I missed you big time. I am never doin’ that again.”
In spite of her worry and fatigue, Maggie laughed.
“Oh, yes, you are. There’s another group coming in three weeks.”
“Well, I’m looking into helicopters, so I can come back midweek and see you.” He buried his face in her hair and inhaled her sweet jasmine and citrus scent, so fresh and clean compared to the heavy odor of the perfume favored by Cassie and the other women. Almost every one had propositioned Harley and him at some point during the trip. “Maggie, Maggie, Maggie,” he sighed, loving the feel of her soft body against his.
They held each other a long time, no passion, just the tender closeness they both needed. On the trips back and forth from the Lodge, Ben had given Jeb the third degree about Emma’s tests. It was clear that accounted for the pain and worry etched on his beloved’s face. He said nothing until they were saying good night. After a deep, tender, loving kiss, he cupped her chin, dark blue eyes staring down at her.
“She’s going to be fine. Whatever happens, we’ll face it together, okay?”
Maggie nodded and held on. She desperately needed his strong arms around her for a few minutes longer. How have I lived without this amazing man? As she drank in his warmth and the earthy scent of the trail, she told herself it was time. She must tell Ben Morgan the truth about his daughter. He deserved to know and he deserved to be there, to hear what Dr. Heavers had to say.
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