A Cowboy's Courage

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  “Hm.” He’d never learned French but he had no trouble translating.

  Her blush deepened. “Honestly, the name had nothing to do with it. I just loved the colors.”

  “They’re good colors.” He fantasized walking over there and drawing her gently into his arms. Then he’d kiss those cheeks that were the same pink as her walls. Instead he grabbed his hat from where he’d left it on her dresser, settled it on his head and picked up his stuff. “I’d best be on my way.”

  “I’ll walk you to the door.” She followed him out.

  He managed to keep himself moving by blocking the image of that painting. At the door, he turned back to her. “If you ever need anything repaired, just let me know.”

  “Thank you, but I don’t want to impose.”

  “It wouldn’t be an imposition.” Touching the brim of his hat, he let himself out the door. He didn’t wish maintenance issues on anyone, but if she happened to have a few minor ones, that would give him an excuse to see her again.

  He wouldn’t get his hopes up, though. Like his mom had said, Olivia had lost her soulmate and even though his picture didn’t sit on her bedside table, that didn’t mean she was ready to move on.

  Chapter Two

  Leaning next to a window that looked out on the front yard, Olivia watched Trevor drive away. She hadn’t wanted him to leave. There, she’d admitted it. For the first time since Edward died, she’d looked at a man with a tiny bit of lust in her heart.

  Okay, more than a tiny bit, and involving other body parts besides her heart. Her nerves jangled with a combination of excitement and uneasiness. What a surprise to discover she wasn’t completely dead inside.

  And why Trevor? He hadn’t suddenly appeared on the scene. She’d known him casually for seven years.

  This was her first interaction with him since he’d returned from Texas, though, and that trip seemed to have changed him in subtle ways. He was more focused, as if those six months had given him a sense of purpose.

  It was there in his eyes, the color that was known around town as McGavin blue. It was there in the confidence he’d shown in tackling the repair.

  Kendra had said he’d been handy with tools from an early age, but hiring on with Paladin Construction would logically have increased his skill level. He’d certainly been in control of that patch job.

  She didn’t have much experience with guys who could fix things. Her dad taught history and could recite major dates and events from memory, but he didn’t know one end of a screwdriver from the other. Edward hadn’t been handy, either.

  Returning to her bedroom, she examined the wall and couldn’t find the exact spot he’d repaired. He’d looked so good doing it, too. Capable hands, broad shoulders, back muscles flexing under his Western shirt, tight buns.

  She hadn’t studied a man at close range in a very long time. Because he’d been facing the wall, she’d been able to enjoy the view without giving anything away.

  At least not intentionally. He might have read too much into her choice of artwork and paint color and who could blame him? Eros and La Séduction made it seem as if she had sex on the brain.

  She most certainly did not. She’d merely been drawn to an unusual abstract and had wanted to highlight the dominant color with new paint.

  Or was she kidding herself? She hoped to hell she wasn’t. Life was much easier without those pesky yearnings. She’d had a generous supply of loving sex with Edward even if they’d only been married a few short years. She’d had more than some women got in a lifetime.

  No other man had touched her in a sexual way. Letting Trevor do the things that Edward had done would be…uh-oh. She was getting hot. That was not something she wanted to deal with!

  In minutes, she was out the front door and striding purposefully toward her destination. She always took a different route so she wouldn’t create a telltale path through the wild grass.

  The house backed up against the forest, but the acreage in front of it was covered with low brush and very few trees. The undulating terrain made sense to her now. It fit what lay underneath.

  Anyone walking in this direction could miss the hole in the earth. She and Edward had passed it countless times in total ignorance. One summer afternoon he’d spotted it, though, and she considered it his discovery.

  After spending the evening researching online, they’d driven into town the next day to buy ropes and hats. The metal stake they’d driven into the ground that day was still there, overgrown with wild grass as they’d intended it would be.

  She glanced around before approaching the hole. It might be an unnecessary precaution because technically no one should be trespassing on her land, but she always checked.

  No one was there. Good. On her way through the laundry room she’d picked up the coil of rope and miner’s hat she kept on top of the dryer. Securing the rope to the stake, she put on her hat, turned on the light and dropped to her stomach on the dry grass.

  After testing the rope with a firm tug, she started down. The opening was still a tight fit, but deeper down she and Edward had enlarged it and created footholds leading to the floor of the cave.

  The entrance tunnel sloped gradually, allowing her to brace her feet against the side as she descended. Although she was plagued with a fear of heights, dropping slowing into the darkness didn’t bother her at all.

  Not being able to see much took away the fear for some reason. When her foot touched the limestone at the bottom, she let go of the rope and let it dangle against the damp earth.

  She and Edward had been out of shape when they’d started this adventure. Eventually they’d built up their strength so they could make it up and down with only one stop in the middle. Thanks to kickboxing class, now she could do it without pausing.

  One light didn’t illuminate as well as two, but she knew her way around. She headed for the opening into the next chamber and crawled through.

  Once there, she sat on a smooth limestone boulder. Larger chambers opened off this one, but she liked it here the best. She glanced around, checking the familiar formations for any sign of disturbance.

  A drop of moisture glistened on the tip of a peach-colored stalactite. Holding her breath, she watched the drop fall to the stalagmite growing beneath it. The miracle never failed to inspire her.

  She wasn’t a geologist and Edward hadn’t been, either. But they’d figured out immediately they’d stumbled on something special, something that needed protection. The steady dripping indicated a cave that was still alive, still growing. The flutter of wings meant a population of bats lived here. They’d found no evidence of humans.

  Searching the internet, they’d bookmarked the website for Kartchner Caverns, a living cave in Arizona. The two hikers who’d discovered it had kept the secret for years until they’d finally negotiated with the state to secure protection for the delicate resource.

  She and Edward had vowed to take the same care with their discovery. Then he’d gotten sick. For months, the cave had been the last thing on her mind, but eventually, after Edward died, she’d started coming back. This was where she felt closest to him. Where she talked to him.

  “Hi, sweetie.” She leaned back against a slab of cool stone behind her. “You know that hole I made in the drywall by accident?” She hugged her knees. “It’s fixed, now.”

  The bats rustled and chirped in the next chamber and the cave continued its steady drip, drip, drip. The familiar sounds calmed her.

  Still, her voice wasn’t quite steady. “But here’s the thing. The guy who fixed it was…Trevor McGavin.” Speaking his name sent a tingle up her spine. “You remember him? He and Bryce are twins. Bryce is the guitar player we used to listen to at the Guzzling Grizzly.”

  She paused, not sure she was ready to say the next part out loud. Then she took a quick breath. “I’m…attracted to him. And I don’t want to be.” That second statement wasn’t quite true. Trevor had given her a jolt of welcome energy that coursed through her even now.


  “Anyway, I’m feeling confused and out of sorts. But it doesn’t change anything. I love you. And no matter what does or doesn’t happen with Trevor, no one could ever replace you.”

  She breathed in the moist air. “I’ve also realized it’s time to get moving on this project. This is such a special place. It means a lot to both of us. And it’s up to me to figure out how to protect it. I’ll proceed carefully and make sure I can trust anyone I talk to, but I have to get started.”

  She stood. “Okay, sweetie. Time to feed the horses. I’ll be back soon. Take care.” After crawling through the opening into the next room, she grasped the rope. The climb up was more work than going down and she was breathing hard by the time she reached the surface.

  She poked her head up like a groundhog. The coast was clear, so she levered herself out of the hole and brushed dirt off her clothes. Then she coiled the rope and detached it from the metal stake. She’d just promised Edward that she’d move forward on the cave project. The trick was knowing where to start.

  Trevor was lucky enough to walk into the Guzzling Grizzly during the Saturday afternoon lull—after the lunch crowd had cleared out and before the evening party folks had shown up. Even better, Bryce was the only person behind the bar.

  Sliding onto a stool, Trevor looked around for the other bartender. “Where’s Mike?”

  “He’s taking an online course and had some homework to finish. Want a draft?”

  “Please.” Trevor accepted the foam-topped mug with gratitude. “An online class, huh? What subject?”

  “Small business management.”

  “No kidding? That says a lot about his dedication.”

  “Sure does. It was totally his idea, too. He’s going to make one hell of a business partner.”

  “Have you closed the deal with Lou?”

  “Should finalize it next week.”

  Trevor put down his beer and spread out his arms. “And all this will be yours.”

  “And Mike’s. I’m giving him the apartment upstairs since I don’t need it anymore. He’s putting the rent money he’ll save toward his share of the business.”

  “Nice deal for him.”

  Bryce laughed. “He thought so, too, although he insisted on getting internet installed up there.”

  “Just up there? You need it down here, too, bro. For customers.”

  “Mike’s way ahead of you. We’ll have free Wi-Fi by next week and a website. He’s looking at those digital order pads, too, which would streamline things if we get as busy as he thinks we might. He’s said from the beginning that this place has the potential to be a gold mine.”

  “That’s awesome.” Trevor lifted his mug. “Here’s to Mike.”

  “Yeah, he’s impressing me. Mandy’s helping him design the website. She insisted on taking pictures of Nicole and me to jazz it up.”

  “Can’t wait to see it. You’re going to put us on the map.”

  “Hope so. Bringing more revenue to town would be a good thing for everyone.”

  “Absolutely.”

  “You had that repair job for Mrs. Shaw today, right?”

  “Just finished it.”

  “How’d the house look?” He grabbed a rack of clean beer mugs and began polishing and stacking them in the pyramid style he favored.

  “Same on the outside. Different inside. She likes bright colors and plants.”

  “She does? I’d never guess that from the way she dresses.”

  “I think that’s her accounting outfit.” He took a sip of his beer.

  “Could be. I wonder if she has bright colors in her house to cheer herself up. Color affects your mood.”

  “Right.” And his was still jacked up over all that pink. Her decision to redecorate could be a sign that she was recovering from her loss. Otherwise she might have chosen to leave the bedroom exactly the way it had been when Edward was alive.

  He glanced at Bryce. “Do you think Mom and Dad were soulmates?”

  “Probably. Why?”

  “Thinking about Olivia’s situation made me wonder about Mom’s. She was young when Dad died, too. And all these years later, she’s never dated. Is that because Dad was her one true love?”

  Bryce polished another mug and started the third level of the pyramid. “That might be part of it. She also told me that she hadn’t wanted to take a chance on bringing some guy into our lives only to find out he was an asshole. Dating when you have kids can be tricky.”

  “But we’re not kids anymore. In fact, she wouldn’t have to worry about ending up with an asshole. If she did, we could kick his butt.”

  Bryce laughed. “You want to fix her up with somebody?”

  “No, I just…why do you think she doesn’t date?”

  “Could be a lot of reasons.” He picked up another mug. “She’s been on her own for a long time. She might like it that way.”

  “Oh, she definitely likes being in charge. But the right guy would be okay with her being bossy.”

  That made Bryce grin. “Finding him might be tough, though. Eagles Nest is growing, but it’s still a small town. Not a lot of eligible bachelors to choose from.”

  “You been keeping a tally?”

  “Not exactly, but I suppose it’s in the back of my mind. I meet a lot of people and so do you. Have you seen anybody who looked right for her?”

  Trevor shook his head. “Can’t say I have.”

  “The other roadblock could be us. Even though we’re grown, we’re a close family. She might wonder how that would change if she brought a stepdad into the mix.”

  “That’s easy. If he makes her happy, we’d be happy for her. If he doesn’t, out he goes. We’d see to it.”

  “Then ask her about it.” Bryce gave him an amused glance. “See what she says. Then report back.”

  “I will, smartass.” He sipped his beer and watched Bryce finish his pyramid. “Obviously having us was a major factor. Seems like if a widow has no kids and still doesn’t date, it’s gotta be the soulmate thing.”

  Bryce turned around and gazed at him. “I assume we’re talking about the widow Shaw.”

  Trevor winced. “You make her sound like she has a stick up her ass. She takes kickboxing classes once a week in Bozeman.”

  “No shit.” Bryce leaned against the counter. “And that fascinates you. Gonna test the soulmate thing and ask her out?”

  “Don’t know.”

  “Yeah, you do. I haven’t seen that look in your eye for months.”

  “Maybe I caught the bug from you, lover boy.” Trevor finished off his beer and stood. “I heard a rumor you and Nicole might sing a couple of duets tonight when the band takes a break.”

  “You heard right. Think you could come by?”

  “I’ll be here. But I’m on call tonight, so if I suddenly bolt, don’t take it personally.”

  “You could invite the widow Shaw.”

  “I wouldn’t ask her out when I’m on call. It’s too soon, anyway. And stop calling her that.”

  “Just testing to see how much you like her.”

  “I like her. The operative question is whether she likes me.”

  “Don’t let that soulmate business spook you, bro. You have one important advantage over her late husband.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You’re alive.”

  Trevor chuckled. “Thanks. I’ll be sure to work that angle.”

  Several hours later, showered, changed and with one of his mom’s excellent meals in his belly, he walked back into the GG. Dinner had been a boisterous affair with Zane, Mandy, Cody and Faith gathered around the ranch’s large dining table. Not the time to bring up the subject of his mom’s dateless history.

  When he’d announced that Bryce and Nicole were singing during the break, everyone decided to join him at the GG. He led the parade inside and helped Zane push two tables together and arrange the chairs. Drinks were ordered and delivered as the band finished its first set.

  When the lead guitarist
announced who would be filling in during the break, the place erupted. Trevor whistled and stomped as loud as anyone. Bryce handed Nicole up to the stage. Damn, those two looked great together.

  Nicole wore a slinky black dress Mandy had designed for her and Bryce had his Johnny Cash look going on. Nicole had taken to wearing a black hat similar to Bryce’s. Against all that black, her red curly hair stood out like a beacon.

  Trevor leaned toward Cody. “I have five bucks that says they’re gonna do Jackson.”

  “I’m not taking that bet.” Cody thumbed back his hat. “It’ll be Jackson.”

  Zane threw a five on the table. “Islands in the Stream.”

  “It’s Your Love.” Mandy dug a five out of her purse.

  Faith shook her head. “I can’t believe you’re betting on this.”

  “Makes it more interesting.” Trevor added his five to the pile and so did Cody.

  Faith rolled her eyes. “It’s already interesting, seeing Bryce up there when everybody thought he’d quit for good. Right, Kendra?”

  “Right, Faith.” But she tossed a five on the table. “Islands in the Stream.”

  When Bryce and Nicole launched into Jackson, Trevor high-fived Cody. Then he soaked up every bit of the amazing performance. Bryce had gone through hell with Charity, the ex-fiancée who’d bailed on their wedding day. He deserved the happiness he’d found with Nicole.

  When they finished, the applause was deafening. Good thing he’d put his phone on vibrate, because otherwise he would have missed the text.

  He shoved back his chair. “Gotta go.” His gaze swept the table. “You should, too. Monitor the app I downloaded to everyone’s phone. It’s a wildfire.”

  His mom gasped. “Anywhere near the ranch?”

  “No, but it sounds like it’s too damned close to Olivia’s place.”

  Chapter Three

  Olivia had spent the evening baking chocolate chip cookies, one of her favorite ways to relax. She’d also reviewed the website for Kartchner Caverns and taken notes on how the two men who’d discovered it had proceeded to get state support.