by Linda Warren
“Sure.” Cleo laid her purse on the sofa. “Melvin will be over in the morning.”
“That’s good. You won’t be alone.”
She fingered her beads. “Melvin asked me to move in with him before Claudia passed, but I couldn’t because Claudia needed me. Now I’m thinking about doing it.”
“You’re welcome to stay here as long as you want.”
She shrugged. “It’s not the same without Claudie.”
“Whatever you want to do is fine with me.”
She gave him a hug. “I feel so bad that this happened to you.”
He tried to smile and failed. “Heck. I’m tough. I’m a bull rider. I’ll get through this.”
“I just want you to be happy—like your friends.”
“I don’t think that’s possible.”
She hugged him again. “Be happy, Brodie.”
He kissed her cheek and went to his truck, totally drained of every emotion. It was time to go home, to find some sort of peace.
T HE BEAM OF his headlights picked out the Jeep parked in his yard. Alex was here. Suddenly he wasn’t so tired anymore. Getting out he saw her sitting on the step, sound asleep, the dogs keeping guard.
It was after twelve. How many women would wait in the darkness all alone? Alex was one of a kind. He eased himself down to sit beside her.
Startled, she jumped straight up.
“It’s just me.”
“Oh.” She pushed her hair out of her eyes. “You scared me.”
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to do that.”
She plopped next to him and he pulled her into his arms. Being with her felt as natural as breathing.
“How was your day?” she asked.
“Awful. Tiring. Claudia and Brodie Hayes are now with Thomas, the way it should be. But I’m still here. I’m trying to make sense of that.”
“You will. You just need time.”
“Maybe.”
She rubbed her head against him. “It’s so peaceful out here.”
“And very warm.”
“Mmm, I hardly noticed.”
He cupped her face and kissed her. She tasted of strawberries and he smiled. “You’ve been eating a Popsicle.”
“Guilty.” She ran her tongue along his lower lip and his loins tightened with an uncontrollable urgency. Tonight he needed her in another way—the way a man needs a woman.
He kissed her deeply as the intensity of their emotions surrounded them. “Alex.” He kissed her nose, her cheek, and nibbled on her ear. “I want you. If that’s not what you want, let’s stop now.”
“I’m not stopping, cowboy.” He could feel her smile.
He stood and unlocked the door. Inside, he flipped on a light, but all he wanted to see was her soft brown eyes. Taking her hand, they walked to the bedroom.
Sitting on the bed, the moonlight streaming through the window, he drew her between his legs. “This time I want to be awake when you take off my boots.”
She removed his hat and tossed it into a corner. “I’d like for you to be awake during the whole thing.”
“Deal.” He slipped her tank top over her head and unsnapped her bra. Her skin was smooth, silky, heavenly. Her breasts spilled into his hands. He took his time getting acquainted with each one, caressing, stroking with his tongue. She moaned a sensuous sound and he reached up to take her lips. They fell backward onto the bed.
She quickly kicked off her sneakers and slid out of her jeans. He held her naked skin against him. But it wasn’t enough. He had too many clothes on.
Sensing his need, she tugged on his boots until they were off, then she leaned over him. “I always wanted to undress a cowboy.”
“Will any cowboy do?” he breathed into her neck.
“One with a big old truck.” A gurgle of laughter erupted from her throat.
“I’m your man.”
“Mmm.” She slowly unbuttoned his dress shirt and slipped it from his shoulders. Her lips trailed down his chest to his belt buckle and every need jerked alive inside him. He shimmied out of his pants and they were skin on skin, heart on heart. She was as soft as he was hard. His mouth tasted every inch of her, from her lips to the tips of her toes. He didn’t leave any place untouched.
“Brodie,” she moaned on a ragged breath. Taking the initiative, her lips began a thorough search of his body. He caught her head and pulled her up to him.
“I need you…now.”
“Condom?”
He fumbled in the nightstand until he found one and quickly sheathed himself.
“You do that so well.” She growled deep in her throat.
“Practice makes perfect.”
She tugged on his chest hairs. “That’s not something you should tell me right now.”
“Oh, Alex, sweet Alex.” He took her lips hungrily, wrapping his arms around her.
Alex felt as if she’d died and gone to heaven. His touch sensitized every part of her and she wanted all of him, totally, completely.
Her hand slid down his body, loving the texture of his skin, his hardness and his masculinity. She massaged and stroked until he flipped her onto her back.
“You’re driving me crazy.” His voice was a husky whisper. “I want you—now.”
His lips captured hers as he thrust into her. She lost it then, wildly meeting his thrusts, clawing his back on a ride of pure undiluted pleasure. Her body convulsed into an orgasmic awakening.
She held him as he trembled his release. Breathing heavily, he rolled away and pulled her to him. Kissing his chest, she knew she’d never had sex like this before. She wanted to tell him how she felt, but it was the wrong time.
I love you, Brodie Hayes.
Nestling against him, she drifted into sleep and dreams of happily ever after.
B RODIE WOKE UP feeling relaxed for the first time in weeks. He pulled Alex closer, just savoring this moment with her. She’d saved him and now he was ready to face the future—whatever that might be.
Alex stirred and raised her head. “Morning, cowboy.”
She looked just like he knew she would, her eyes dark and dreamy.
“Morning,” he replied, grinning. She reached up and kissed his dimple, then her lips met his.
“Mmm.” He kissed her deeply. “This is a nice way to wake up.”
She slid her leg across his hip and straddled him.
“This is even better. Who knew the lady P.I. was cool on the outside, but wild in bed.”
She pushed back her hair with both hands. “Was I wild?”
“You were magnificent.”
She frowned. “I’m not usually.”
“Usually?” He lifted an eyebrow. “Have there been many usuallys?”
She looked down at him, her eyes bright. “I can count them on one hand minus a couple of fingers.” She inched a finger down his chest. “How about you, cowboy?”
“I don’t have enough fingers,” he replied and couldn’t stop the grin that spread across his face.
“I thought so. I mean a man who keeps condoms in his nightstand, well…” She let out a shriek as he rolled her onto her back.
But you will be my last, he thought as his mouth covered hers and they forgot everything but this moment and each other.
A N HOUR LATER Alex sat at the kitchen table in Brodie’s shirt. He’d fixed breakfast and she sipped coffee, not wanting this time to end.
“I guess I should get dressed and head back to the city.”
Brodie wore nothing but his jeans and her se
nses spun at just the sight of his broad shoulders and bare chest.
“Do you have to go to work?”
“Not really.”
“Then stay the day. I’ll show you the ranch.” He took a swallow of coffee. “Do you ride?”
“You bet, but I haven’t in a long time.”
He shoved back his chair. “Let’s get dressed. I’ll put the dishes in the dishwasher while you’re dressing.” He carried plates to the sink. “If I go with you, we’ll probably never leave the house and I really need to check my cattle.”
“Give me five minutes—tops.”
In fifteen minutes, they were at the barn, the dogs following behind. Brodie gave her a hat and she put it on, feeling more and more like a cowgirl. Since it was early the heat wasn’t so bad, but the sun would be scorching later. She waited while he went to get the horses. He led two inside.
“This is Star. She’s a gentle mare.”
“Oh.” She stroked the horse’s face. “You think I need gentle?”
“Yep. Until I know how you can ride.” He swung a saddle onto Star’s back.
He showed her how to gird the saddle tight and she listened avidly. They turned as they heard the pounding of hooves. A young boy rode into the barn.
“Hey, Brodie. You’re back.” He jumped from the saddle.
“Hey, Joey,” Brodie said. “Thanks for looking after the ranch.”
“No problem. I did everything you told me and made sure there was plenty of water in all the troughs.” Joey kept staring at her.
“This is Alex Donovan.” Brodie made the introduction. “And this is Joey, who hasn’t learned all his manners yet.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stare, but you’re so pretty.” His face turned a bright red.
“Thank you, Joey. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Ah…ah…yeah.” He quickly swung back into the saddle. “I better go. ’Bye.” He rode away.
“He’s a little shy.”
“But a fan of Brodie Hayes?”
“Sort of.” He pulled Star forward. “Let’s ride, lady.”
Alex hadn’t been in the saddle for a while, but she adjusted quickly. The ranch covered many acres. The land was very flat with a couple of creeks running through it. Some pastures had been cleared to make hay fields. Others had towering oak trees with green coastal growing beneath them. Red-faced cattle grazed contentedly.
“What kind of cattle are those?” she asked as they rode through a herd.
“Hereford.”
They checked several water troughs to make sure the water was flowing. Brodie dismounted at a windmill and looked things over. She glanced up at the huge blades turning in the wind, creating energy to pump the water. Water was vital to a rancher—even she knew that.
At midday Brodie stopped by a slow-flowing creek. A large oak’s branches hung over the water. “Ready for a break?”
“Sure.”
He pulled a blanket from his saddlebags and spread it beneath the tree. She flopped down searching for ants and other critters. He handed her a canteen.
“What’s this?”
“Water. Don’t want to get dehydrated out here in the heat. And I have peanut butter crackers.”
“I love a man who’s prepared.” She took a swig.
“I’m always prepared.”
“Yes. I know.” She gave him the canteen. “Are there any condoms in that bag?”
He lifted an eyebrow. “Do you want to find out?”
She suppressed a laugh. “Not here in broad daylight. Maybe later.”
Leaning back against the tree, he opened the crackers and handed her one. She munched on it and just enjoyed the serenity of the outdoors…and Brodie. Sweat rolled down her back and saturated her waistline. She didn’t care. She’d never been so happy in her life.
“Is it always this quiet?”
“Pretty much. Unless we’re herding cattle—then things get lively.”
They sat together for a while in a comfortable silence. The horses munched on grass and the dogs lay in the shade.
“You haven’t said much about yesterday,” she finally said.
He plucked a blade of grass. “Not much to say. I’m just glad it’s over.”
“Are you still having conflicting thoughts?”
“I buried Brodie Hayes yesterday. Now I’m trying to figure out who I’m supposed to be.”
She took a deep breath. “You probably won’t be able to do that until you speak with the Braxtons.”
He didn’t offer a protest like he usually did. He just stared off to the landscape.
So she plunged in. “Their names are George and Helen and you were their firstborn. You’re named after him—George Travis Junior. Maggie, your sister, has two children, Amber and Cody. Cody’s excited that his uncle is Brodie Hayes. I believe he loves rodeos.”
Brodie didn’t speak or try to stop her, so she continued. “The Braxtons have had a lot of heartache in their lives. They had two other sons, Will and Wesley, who both died. Will drowned when he was nineteen, and Wes died just last year in a car accident. George sank into deep depression after that, which is part of the reason I think Helen began her search for you again in earnest. Seeing your photo in the paper fueled her hopes. You’re her only remaining son. She needed a miracle to save her sanity, her family. And she got one.”
Brodie remained silent.
“George and Helen raise cutting horses in Weatherford. Or at least they used to. When Wes died, George sold all the horses except a few. He had no desire to continue working or living. They live on a ranch that’s been in the family for years, but now it’s in dire neglect. They…”
Brodie jumped up and grabbed the reins of his horse. “I need to check some fences.”
He swung into the saddle and she quickly followed. He wasn’t getting away from her. They rode until Alex was one big sweat gland and her body ached all over.
Brodie’s face was set, his jaw clenched. She could see the muscle working in his neck and she knew he was trying to deal with everything she’d told him.
They kept riding, stopping only for water. And she began to wonder if he would ever tire. As the sun began to sink in the west, Brodie made his way back to the creek.
“I forgot the blanket,” he said.
She dismounted with a moan and fell prone on her stomach to the blanket. “I’m sorry, but I need a minute.” She might be a wimp, but she’d kept pace with him as long as she could.
He squatted and began to remove her sneakers.
She flipped over. “What…”
“The creek water is cool. It’ll rejuvenate you.”
“That might take more than cool water.”
He effortlessly slipped off his boots and removed his socks. Rolling up his jeans, he said, “Come on.”
She quickly shed her shoes and socks. The ground was hard and dry beneath her feet, but the water was oh, so cool. Even the mud squishing between her toes felt wonderful.
“This is heavenly. I want to submerge my whole body.”
“Go ahead. The water is deeper over here.”
It was almost twilight and the place was in the middle of nowhere. What the hell. She removed her clothes and threw them on the bank. Brodie did the same. Together they sank beneath the cool surface.
They came up laughing and splashing each other. The tension of the day seemed to melt away. After a moment Brodie swung her up in his arms and carried her to the blanket. He fished a condom out of his jeans and she burst out laughing, kissing his dimple, his neck, his chest and lower.
They made slow, sweet love and the experience
was better than the night before. Maybe it was the night, the heat or just the two of them needing each other.
Later they dressed and sat together, his arms locked around her. He nuzzled her hair. “Call the Braxtons. I’ll meet them.”
Chapter Fifteen
Alex could hardly contain her excitement. It had been a difficult decision, but she knew he’d made the right one.
That night she gave him the baby rattle. He stared at it a long time, then put it away in a drawer. He didn’t say anything and she didn’t press for a response.
At dawn she left to make the arrangements. She gave him a long kiss, knowing their special time had come to an end. She also knew it wasn’t really an end, but a new beginning.
Buck was drinking coffee and reading the paper when she came through the door. He laid it down when he saw her.
“You just now gettin’ home?”
She needed her own place—desperately.
“Yes, Buck, and good morning to you, too.”
He frowned. “What’s wrong with your hair?”
“It got wet.” She’d washed it in Brodie’s shower, but he didn’t give her time to do anything with it. It hung in rattails around her face.
“It hasn’t rained.”
She rolled her eyes. “I have to change.”
“You helping with the Davis case today?” he called after her.
“Probably not.”
“Girl…”
After slamming her door, she didn’t hear anything else. She picked up the phone and called the Braxtons. They were ecstatic, just as she knew they would be. She arranged a meeting for one o’clock. This was a new beginning for the Braxtons and Brodie. She prayed it went well.
In thirty minutes she was back in the kitchen. Buck was still at the table.
“You need to do something about Naddy.”
She poured a cup of coffee. “Why?”
“She’s making plans for that money, even though she hasn’t gotten it yet.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“She ordered a hot tub and the company was all set to deliver it. I canceled the damn order. And she’s trying to trade in the Buick. The last thing she needs is a faster car. The old bat is losing her mind.”
