He raised an eyebrow. “How many people know about this secret of yours?”
She rubbed her cheek against his and whispered in his ear. “You’re the first so far.”
He caught her jaw and kissed her playfully, then whispered, “If I give you what you want, maybe this secret can stay between us.”
“I want lots of kisses,” she announced. “I can be very demanding.”
“I think I can handle that, darling.”
She felt like she was melting. Locking her arms around his neck, she let him lift her off the ground and whirl her around. When they were both laughing, he said, “Laurel Hayes, you are a wonder in this world.”
They stood in the moonlight staring at each other. She brushed his hair off his forehead. He tucked a wild strand of hers behind her ear. When their lips touched, it was as if they had a lifetime to finish one kiss.
When he finally broke the kiss, she sighed and moved away. “Thank you,” she said.
He still held her hand. “For what?”
“For making me feel good all the way to my toes.”
He raised a wicked eyebrow. “I wouldn’t mind testing to see if that’s true. From what I’ve touched so far, I’d guess you do feel good all the way to your toes. You’re tall and slim, but you seem to fit against me in all the right places.”
She blushed and turned to her horse. “I have to go. It’s late.”
He stepped behind her as she reached for the saddle horn. His hand glided from her shoulder to her waist. She leaned against the saddle, loving the feel of his fingers moving down her back. His hands spread wide and made a slow journey along her sides. She caught her breath when the tips of his fingers moved around her enough to brush the sides of her breasts.
“Rowdy,” she whispered.
He was so close she could feel his breath brushing her hair at the back of her neck. “Do you want me to apologize?”
She tried to control her breathing, her knuckles white as they gripped the saddle. “No,” she finally answered.
His hands moved once more along her sides, only this time, when he reached her breasts, he slowed, tenderly feeling the sides, pressing gently as he tested the softness beneath her blouse.
She was glad he couldn’t see her face for she felt like it was on fire. No one had ever touched her as he was now.
He leaned down and kissed the side of her throat. “You feel like heaven come to earth, woman. I could spend all night doing this.”
“Then do it once more before I go.” She couldn’t believe her own words. “So I’ll remember exactly how it feels.”
With the same gentleness, he moved his hand up from her waist, only this time his fingers covered her breasts, cupping each. As she gulped for air, she pressed into his palms and his grip tightened.
Neither said a word as he held her in his tender grip. As her breathing calmed, she felt his fingers gently brushing against her breasts.
Finally, he pulled his hands away. When he turned her to face him, she rested her head on his shoulder and they simply held each other. What they’d done hadn’t been a casual or an accidental touch. She had a feeling they’d both remember it all their lives.
“I’m not sure…” He took a deep breath. “I haven’t been around many women. I…”
She moved so that he could feel her smile against his skin. “I think you did it just right,” she whispered and felt him relax against her.
His lips brushed her cheek. “If you get another urge to let that wild woman inside of you come out, you know where to find me. I’ll always be there if you need me.”
She couldn’t believe she’d been so honest with him. In the clear sober light of day she wasn’t sure she could face him. But now, right now, she didn’t regret anything.
Putting her foot in the stirrup, she felt his hands tighten around her as he lifted her up. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For making me feel like a woman.”
“You’re welcome,” he said as if he didn’t understand exactly what she was thanking him for. “And believe me, Laurel, you feel very much like a woman.”
Leaning down, she brushed his mouth one last time. “Good luck tomorrow.”
“Will I see you at the dance?”
“No.” She didn’t want a repeat of the lecture her father had given her. “I’ll meet you here if I can.”
He stood on the edge of the creek and watched her ride away. When she looked back, he was still there.
Part of her wondered how she could be so free and wild with him. Then, slowly, she understood what all women come to know. A woman is a different woman in each man’s arms. She’d never be like she was tonight with Jeffery Filmore, not if they married and lived together for forty years.
This Laurel born tonight would only live in the circle of Rowdy Darnell’s embrace.
Chapter 7
Clouds blocked any sunrise, but Rowdy was up and dressed by the time the first watery light managed to show along the horizon. He’d cleaned the cabin up enough to make it livable but the place was still depressing. Despite the chill of rain, he opened the doors and welcomed the damp air.
Today he would compete in steer roping. Dan O’Brien would try for his only event, calf roping. Both had agreed to help the other. His lead in saddle bronc riding from the first night had held two days and his second place from last night’s event had a good chance of making it. The best all-around cowboy didn’t have to win every event. When all the events were over, each man competing for best all-around got three points for first, two for second, and one for third. It was possible for a rider not to place in one round and still win best overall. No man’s ranking was safe until the last entry rode.
Rowdy worked with Cinnamon all morning. He swore the horse was so smart Cinnamon would be teaching him soon.
Around noon he noticed a basket sitting on his front porch. Laurel was nowhere in sight, but he knew she’d brought it. By the time he brushed the horse down and made it to the porch he saw Dan riding up.
“Join me for lunch,” Rowdy offered, knowing Laurel would have packed more than he could eat.
Dan smiled and moved into the shade.
Rowdy set out fried chicken, mashed potatoes and corn on the cob. Dan’s eyes were bulging. The quart of buttermilk made his mouth drop open.
Rowdy offered him the best plate he had and one of the two forks he owned.
Dan frowned. “Either you were raised in the kitchen and travel with a coop of chickens and a cow, or you didn’t make all this.” He looked around. “I don’t see any fire going.”
“I didn’t make this.” Rowdy laughed. “I can’t roast a rabbit fit to eat.” He took a bite and smiled. “And,” he added when he could speak, “I’m not telling you where it came from. So eat, not knowing, or watch me. It’s up to you.”
“I’ll eat.” Dan dove into the food.
Rowdy had a feeling the man hadn’t eaten all morning. They devoured the food. When they found an apple pie at the bottom of the basket, they split it in half.
Finally, Dan leaned back on the porch and stretched his long legs. “I ain’t asking no questions,” he yawned, “but if food like this falls from heaven again, would you invite me over?”
Rowdy laughed. “Sure.” He liked the big man. Dan didn’t ask too many questions.
They spent the afternoon practicing and then rode into town. Dan’s calf roping came first. His one event. His chance to win fifty dollars. Tonight was the last ride for this event because the organizers needed time to hand out awards tomorrow.
Dan was the next to the last to ride. Rain had been splattering the dirt for several minutes when they shot out after the calf. Rowdy did his part and Dan had the calf tossed and tied with smooth skill. A few minutes later, the last contestant failed to loop the calf.
Rowdy smiled, knowing he’d just moved to third place and Dan had won first. He looked for Laurel but the rain curtained the other end of the arena from sight.
Fifteen minutes later, he roped
a steer almost by the time he cleared the gate and rolled in the mud to twist the horns until the animal tumbled, splattering water and dirt all over him.
Rowdy stood, waved his hat and walked to the gate knowing he’d just taken the lead in steer roping. He stepped behind the pens looking for Dan but the rain was driving so hard he couldn’t see more than the dark outline of the barn. He guessed most of the hands sleeping around chuck wagons would be in the dry hay tonight.
Slashing through the mud, he headed toward the barn hoping to find Dan and congratulate him. When he stepped out of the rain at the side of the corral, he heard someone coming up fast behind him.
He swung around expecting Dan, but a fist caught him so hard in the stomach he folded over. All he saw were three men in oil slickers, boots and dark rain-drenched hats. The next blow knocked him against the side of the barn and he thought he heard the chime of silver spurs.
Rowdy shook his ringing head and came up fighting. He knew he hit one man hard enough on the jaw to knock him down and felt another’s nose crack beneath his knuckles, but their fists rained down worse than the storm. Finally, when he twisted to avoid one blow, a man behind him hit him hard in the back of the head with what felt like an anvil.
Rowdy crumbled and the dark night turned black. Vaguely, from far away, he thought he felt a few kicks to his ribs and then nothing.
Chapter 8
“Miss Hayes. Laurel?”
Laurel shifted in her chair by the window and looked around the café. Everyone from the rodeo seemed to have moved into the hotel out of the rain. Most of the cowboys were in the bar in the back, but her father had insisted she stay in the parlor surrounded by nursing mothers and whining children ready to go home.
She’d heard rumors that even though the dance tonight had be cancelled, there were still games the men called “outlawed events” going on. There the betting was heavy. Those not out in the rain participating were inside awaiting the outcome.
She had no idea where her sisters were, but her father had gone upstairs with several men to drink and play poker until the rain let up enough to head for home.
Staring out the window she decided that might never be.
“Laurel?” The whisper came again as if it were drifting in the wind.
She studied the people around her. No one was even looking in her direction.
“Laurel,” the voice whispered again.
This time she had a direction to follow. Three feet away she saw Bonnie Lynn serving tea to one of the older women.
“Yes,” Laurel took a chance and answered.
Bonnie Lynn only spared her a quick glance as she straightened. “Follow me.”
Laurel didn’t ask questions. She stood slowly, looked around and followed several feet behind Bonnie Lynn as they left the room and moved into a hallway to the kitchen that served both the parlor and the café.
“What is it?” she asked as soon as Bonnie Lynn turned around in the quiet passage.
“Dan’s at the kitchen door. He says he has to talk to you.”
If it had been anyone but Dan O’Brien, Laurel would have thought it was some kind of joke her sisters were playing on her.
“From the look on his face, I think you’d better hurry,” Bonnie Lynn said as she slipped into the kitchen.
Laurel tried not to look at the rotting food and dirty dishes scattered around. The place was so busy it looked as if it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks.
Just outside the back door, Dan stood in the rain. Bonnie Lynn was at her side as they stepped onto the tiny back porch. “What is it?” Laurel yelled over the rain and the kitchen noises behind her.
“It’s Darnell, miss. He’s hurt. I don’t know what to do for him.”
Bonnie Lynn’s hand caught Laurel’s arm before she could step into the downpour. “Wait, miss. Take my cape.”
It took all her control to stand still as the maid wrapped a cape over her shoulders. She pulled the hood up and Dan offered his arm.
“Where is he?” Laurel asked as she matched the big man’s stride.
“In the old barn down by the corrals.”
“What happened?”
“One of the men who work the stock said he saw three cowhands kicking something in the mud. He didn’t know it was a man until he almost fell over him when the cowhands walked away. We got him in the barn, but he’s bleeding, Miss, and I wasn’t sure what to do.”
“What about the doctor?”
“Rowdy wouldn’t hear of us getting him. He says they’d disqualify him if they knew he was hurt.”
Laurel could barely speak. Fear blocked her words. “Did he tell you to come find me?”
“No, miss. He’s going to be madder than hell when he figures out I come to get you, but I’m hoping you can talk some sense into him.”
“But why me?”
Dan smiled. “I seen the way you looked at him that night at the dance and the way he looked at me when I was holding you. I didn’t think it was nothing much until I saw that basket of food this morning on his porch. A man don’t pack a basket with lace napkins, and the food was too hot to have come all the way from town.” He helped her over a mud hole and added, “It made sense it came from the Captain’s place, and I knew if it was one of your sisters he liked that’d make my friend dumber than a warm cow patty.”
She looked away so he wouldn’t see her smile.
“Meaning no disrespect against your sisters.”
They stepped into the sudden silence of the barn.
“If you won’t take offense,” Dan said as he pointed to the loft, “I’ll swing you up.”
She nodded and she was lifted up like a child.
For a moment she saw nothing but hay, then, in the corner, a tiny light flickered.
“Bring another lantern,” she called down to Dan and ran toward Rowdy.
He moaned as she tugged his shoulder and turned him onto his back. Blood and mud were everywhere.
“Laurel,” he whispered, then tried to push her away.
“Stop it.” She shoved back. “Be still. I need to see where you’re hurt.”
“Pretty much all over,” he mumbled.
“Then let me look.”
She wasn’t sure if he passed out or just decided to follow orders for once. He crumbled like a rag doll.
The light wasn’t good enough to see, but she could feel. Laurel tugged off her cape and pressed her hand against his heart. It beat solid and strong. She took a deep breath and began to move over him, feeling the strong muscles of his body beneath his soaked clothes.
When she touched his left side, he jerked in pain but didn’t cry out. None of his limbs seemed broken but warm blood dripped from his bottom lip and nose. A cut sliced across his forehead close to his hairline and a knot as big as an egg stood out on the back of his skull. By the time Dan arrived with the lantern, she felt safe in believing Rowdy wasn’t going to die.
When Rowdy opened his eyes, she said, “You need to see a doctor.”
“No,” he answered.
“But…”
“No,” he repeated.
Dan knelt on one knee. “I figure whoever did this was trying to take Rowdy out of the competition. I don’t think it was anything personal. If we take him to a doc, he’ll be out no matter how it happened.”
“But he can’t ride tomorrow like this.”
“He has to. I heard one of the judges say if he places even third tomorrow, he’ll win best all-around.”
“No. His ribs could be broken.” She pulled his shirt away and saw the dark bruises already forming.
“Stop talking about me like I’m not in my right mind.” Rowdy swore as he forced himself to sit up. “I’m riding tomorrow. End of discussion.”
“I say no. It’s not worth risking your life.”
He stared at her. “If I don’t ride, I’ll be risking both our lives. I’m not willing to do that.” He closed his bruised hand over hers. “I’ve been hurt far worse than this. I can ride tom
orrow.”
Laurel shoved the tear off her cheek. “Dan, can you get him home?”
“I’ll borrow a wagon and have him there in an hour.”
“Good. Stay with him until I get there. I’ll bring bandages and all the medicine I can find.”
If the big man thought it strange that Laurel Hayes was crying over Rowdy, he didn’t say a word. He helped her get him downstairs to a wagon. She pulled all the blankets from her buggy and packed them around him.
When Dan brought his horse and Cinnamon to the back of the wagon, she whispered her thanks.
“Ain’t nothing he wouldn’t do for me,” Dan answered, then hesitated before adding, “He’s a good man, Miss Laurel.”
“I know,” she answered. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
She watched the wagon move into the rain and then walked back to the hotel.
Bonnie Lynn met her at the kitchen door. “Your father is looking for you.”
She handed Bonnie Lynn back her cape and stepped into the hallway. She could hear her father yelling.
He’d lost at poker and was too drunk to notice the mud on her clothes. All he wanted to do was go home. When they reached the barn, he borrowed one of his men’s horses and had two of the cowhands ride with the women.
Her sisters complained about the lack of blankets until the men offered an arm around them. Laurel sat in the back too worried to be cold. She ordered the man driving to go faster, but he was in no hurry to get home. The road seemed endless.
When they finally made it, she ran in the house and up the stairs. Minutes later she was dressed in her wool riding clothes and leather jacket. Tossing all the supplies she could find in a bag, she started out of the house.
At the front door she almost collided with her father and one of his men.
“Where do you think you are going?”
Laurel knew better than to tell him the truth. She might be twenty, but he’d think he was well within his rights to lock her in her room if he thought she was leaving. “I’m going to check on my mare.”
Give Me A Texas Outlaw Bundle with Give Me A Cowboy Page 39
