A Cowboy's Courage

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  The schedule changed every week depending on where the chief had gaps. Gradually Trevor was learning all the jobs and the guys seemed to love having a rotating volunteer who eventually would be able to fill in for anybody.

  Some of his friends didn’t understand why he’d donate his time and risk his safety. His mom and his brothers got it, though. His passions were building things and enjoying the beauty of his native state. Fire threatened both, so he was learning how to fight it.

  Money had never been a driving force in his life. But he’d made more in Texas than he was used to and he’d been inspired to open a savings account at the Eagles Nest National Bank. He hadn’t been clear what he was saving for.

  The intense hours he’d spent defending Olivia’s house had sharpened his purpose. He wanted to build his own home. Cody and Faith had constructed a cute little A-frame on a forested section of ranch property, but he wanted more than that—his own land and a house of his design.

  He’d probably build a barn, too. After growing up with horses, he’d like a couple. Pulling into the parking space beside the ranch house, he looked at it with new eyes.

  His house would be log construction like this one, but he might go up another story. Stairs were cool. And a porch. Had to have a porch. And a stone fireplace. Maybe a back deck with a hot tub.

  He walked up the path to the house and climbed the steps carefully, mindful of the third one that squeaked. He’d fix that now that the second barn was done. If his mom would make a list of the nagging little maintenance chores she needed, he’d work his way through them.

  But regardless of whether he was framing a house for Paladin Construction or keeping the ranch buildings in good repair, he was still working on a structure that didn’t belong to him. He’d be happy to continue doing those things if he also had something of his own, something he could mold into any shape he wanted.

  Until this moment, he hadn’t acknowledged how strong that craving was. Opening the front door, he walked into the living room and turned around to close the door. When he swung back, he froze in place. Olivia stood in the hallway.

  Her sudden appearance startled him. He’d expected her to be asleep, but she must have been listening for him to come home. He had info she wanted.

  Her jeans and sweater had prompted an adjustment in his thinking, but this outfit required a total overhaul of his assumptions about Olivia Shaw. Her satin robe and nightgown matched the erotic pink of her bedroom walls. If that was accidental, he’d eat his hat.

  She wore her glasses, but that was all that was left of her accountant persona. Her dark hair tumbled around her shoulders in glorious abundance. If she took off her robe and nightgown, she could drape her hair over her breasts.

  Heaven help him, he ached for her to do that. He wanted her in his arms, her silky hair sliding over his naked body. He shivered. Maybe exhaustion was making him hallucinate, because something in her eyes told him that he wasn’t the only one with that idea.

  She drew in a breath. “You saved my house.”

  “Not just me. Plenty of firefighters worked to save it.” He took a few steps toward her.

  “But you were the one who cared the most.” She closed the gap a little more.

  “Well, yeah. You’re a family friend.” Boy, didn’t that sound dumb. He drifted closer.

  She smiled. “You mean I’m the nice person who brings homemade cookies when I come to visit? The one who remembers everyone’s birthday with an appropriate card?”

  He laughed before he remembered he was supposed to be quiet. “No. I didn’t mean that at all. You’re…” He cleared his throat. “You’re nothing like I thought you were. Let’s leave it at that.”

  Her voice was soft and her gaze even softer. “Okay.”

  He was within touching distance. In his world, standing this close to a woman in sexy nightwear meant they were about to make love. Not today.

  He couldn’t even assume she was trying to be provocative. She’d arrived in this outfit and it was opaque enough to be perfectly decent. Except chances were good she wore nothing underneath.

  He swallowed. Time to get the main points of this conversation out of the way so he could go to his room and she could return to Cody’s. “I’m sorry about your barn. It was right in the path and we had to let it go.”

  “I heard.”

  “Mom can keep your horses until you build a new one.”

  “She already told me that and I’m very grateful. I’m sure Bonnie and Clyde will have a blast hanging out with all these horses.”

  “Bonnie and Clyde? Aren’t they both geldings?”

  “Yes, but Edward and I had decided on those names when we still lived in Chicago. Once we got out here we learned that two geldings made more sense for beginners than a gelding and a mare. But we kept the names, anyway.”

  “I see.” It helped cool his jets to hear her talk about Edward with affection. “You were very brave to take the horses out when you’d never pulled a trailer.”

  “My horses, my job.” She nudged her glasses more firmly into place and lifted her chin. “The rest of you had work to do. Taking someone away from that because I couldn’t handle my responsibility would have been wrong.”

  She had courage. Too bad he was a sucker for gutsy women. “I realized you were scared, though. I even suspected you were hauling horses for the first time, but I—”

  “You had to let me do it.” She took a deep breath. “And I did. But before I pull another loaded horse trailer, I intend to get some instruction.”

  “I’ll be glad to teach you.”

  “That would be great.”

  Evidently he was still looking for ways to spend time with her, whether that was wise or not. “You probably know more than you think you do, since you made it over here.”

  “I know nothing. I drove the entire way without using my brakes.”

  “Whoa. Not at all?”

  She shook her head and her dark hair rippled. “I went real slow and there was hardly any traffic.”

  “I guess there wouldn’t be much. Most people try to stay off the road when there’s a wildfire anywhere near town.”

  “How soon will I be able to go back?”

  “I’m not sure. I can find out for you in a few hours, but my guess is they’ll need to monitor the area for hotspots. They won’t want you in there until it’s safe.”

  “Today?”

  “Maybe. I’m thinking not, though.”

  She deflated a little. “I was hoping.”

  “Listen, when you do go back.” He hesitated. “Your house is perfectly fine, but the area around it took a hit.”

  Her gaze sharpened. “What about the acreage between the main road and the house?”

  “The grassland? I don’t think it was affected much.”

  “Good.”

  “But we had to clear off anything near the house that would burn.”

  “My flowers?”

  “Had to go.”

  “My vegetable garden?”

  “Did you have one?”

  “Yes, in back. I’d harvested most of it but I still had…” Her voice trailed off. “I’m guessing it’s gone, too.”

  “Sorry.”

  Her lower lip trembled.

  “I’ll help you plant a new one next spring.”

  She nodded. “It’s just that Edward and I…” With a quick gulp, she turned away. “I’ll…I’ll see you later, okay?” She walked quickly down the hall and into Cody’s room. The door closed with a soft click.

  Sure as the world, she’d planted that garden with Edward. If there was any doubt whether she was still grieving, her reaction to losing the garden confirmed it. He scrubbed a hand over his face. She still loved her late husband. That didn’t leave much room for another man.

  Chapter Five

  Edward had loved that garden. Olivia shoved her face into the pillow so no one would hear her cry. Losing the garden hurt. It hurt more than losing the barn.

  Afte
r she’d sobbed out the worst of her sadness and anger, she flopped to her back while tears dribbled across her cheeks and into her ears. After all Edward’s struggles, the little plot was gone. How unfair.

  In the beginning, he’d naively tried to grow veggies the way his grandmother had in Southern Illinois. He used to rhapsodize about picking huge tomatoes and squash from her garden when he was a kid.

  They’d bought acreage here so he could recreate it. Except he hadn’t had a gift for horticulture. Lack of talent combined with critter invasions and a short growing season produced poor yields. But he’d been persistent and by the third year he’d almost figured it out.

  After he died, she’d kept the garden going and this summer had been the best yet. She’d shared some of the harvest with her clients, including Kendra. Sure, she could replant in the spring. Trevor had been kind to offer his help.

  But if the firefighters had torn it out to save the house, then she’d have to start over. It wouldn’t be Edward’s garden anymore. Why bother?

  She’d focus on the good news. The grassland hadn’t been burned, which meant the cave and the bats might not have been affected. That was more important than Edward’s garden. He would have said so, for sure.

  The tears finally stopped. She’d never been a fan of crying. It made her throat hurt, her eyes swell and her nose run.

  She grabbed a box of tissues from the bedside table and blew her nose. Better. She was physically and emotionally wiped out, but calmer. Nothing could be done now. Taking off her robe, she laid it across the end of the bed, crawled under the covers and went to sleep.

  She woke to the sound of chickens clucking. Climbing out of bed, she put on her glasses and went to the partially open window. Kendra was out back feeding her flock.

  She clearly loved those plump, fluffy birds. She talked to them as if they were close friends as she scattered feed in a slow circle around her.

  The henhouse was gorgeous, too. Kendra had mentioned that Trevor had built it for her and like a proud mama she’d bragged about his carpentry skills. For good reason, too. The henhouse looked like a mini Victorian complete with a blue exterior and white gingerbread trim. It even had a front porch on either side of the ramp leading into it.

  Watching the chicken-feeding ritual soothed Olivia’s frayed nerves and she stayed where she was until Kendra collected the eggs and left the pen. Then she pushed up the window and called to her.

  Kendra turned in her direction. “Did I wake you with the chickens?”

  "You did, but I need to get up.” She glanced at the sky. “It’s late, huh?”

  “Past five.”

  "What's the story about going back to my house? Do you know?"

  "Trevor said you won't be able to tonight. The firefighters are still checking the surrounding area for hotspots. You're stuck here until tomorrow, at least.”

  “Oh.” She’d expected it but that didn’t make hearing it any easier.

  “Since you’ll be staying, I’ll bet you could use a few things to make you feel more human, right?"

  "That's putting it mildly."

  "Let me bring in the eggs and then I’ll gather up some clothes and toiletries for you. I think we wear roughly the same size. How about jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt?”

  “That would be great.”

  “Underwear will be trickier but I have a stretchy sports bra that should work and my panties should fit you.”

  “Thanks. I’m sure you never expected to be loaning your underwear to your accountant.”

  She smiled. “I’m not loaning it to my accountant. I’m loaning it to my friend.”

  “Aw.” Her throat tightened.

  “I have a nightgown you can borrow, too. I’ll bet you’re sick of wearing that one, pretty as it is.”

  “I used to like it, but now it might have to go.”

  Kendra laughed. “I understand. See you in a few minutes.”

  Putting on her robe, Olivia quickly made up the bed and opened her door. Beef stew. The aroma hit her full force and her stomach growled. Kendra had fed everyone snacks in the wee hours of the morning, but that food was a distant memory. Once Kendra brought her a change of clothes, she’d take the fastest shower in history if a bowl of stew awaited her at the end of it.

  Leaning in the doorway, she peered down the empty hallway. All the bedrooms were in this section of the house. The master was at the far end with an attached bath. Three smaller bedrooms shared the hall bath.

  During last night’s ordeal, Trevor’s brothers had regaled her with stories of epic battles over possession of that bathroom. The bedrooms had been another source of combat. In the beginning, Ryker and Zane each had a room. When Bryce and Trevor had arrived, they’d shared a room because they were twins, after all. Then Cody had come along.

  Ryker and Zane had been crammed together and baby Cody had been given his own room. Nobody had thought that was fair except Cody, the spoiled one. The teasing and laughter had helped carry Olivia through the long hours. Because she was an only child, she envied them a little, too.

  Presently, that hall bathroom was occupied. Then the door opened and Trevor came out shirtless and clean-shaven. He blinked. “You’re awake.”

  Oh, yes, she was. After getting a good look at his muscled chest lightly furred with dark hair, she was so awake. She was amazed that her glasses hadn’t fogged. “I…um…your mother was feeding the chickens.”

  “It’s their dinnertime.”

  She took a quick breath. “Right. She’s also getting me some clothes to change into after I take a shower.” Why did she feel the need to blurt that out?

  “Good idea.”

  “Am I that stinky?”

  “No! I meant the clothes are a good idea. Not that there’s anything wrong with what you have on.”

  “I’m not in the habit of wearing a nightgown and bathrobe all the time.” But she wouldn’t mind if he’d ditch his shirt more often. Dear God, he was beautiful.

  “At least they look nice.” Then he turned red. “I mean, you could have been stuck with an ugly granny gown and that would have been worse.” He cleared his throat. “You know what? I’m going to drop this conversational thread before I get any more tangled up in it.”

  “Okay.” Gorgeous and flustered. What a dynamite combo.

  “Did Mom mention that your property is still off-limits at least until tomorrow?”

  “She told me.” The scent of his shaving cream created a tingling sensation in her belly. She longed to stroke his freshly shaven cheek.

  “I’m sure you’re eager to get back.”

  “Yes and no.” What woman in her right mind would be eager to leave when confronted with a bare-chested Trevor McGavin?

  “I probably scared you a little with my description of the place.”

  “Some.”

  “I figured I should tell you, though.”

  “Oh, absolutely! I’m glad you warned me. I’ve never seen the aftermath of a fire except on the news.” And she’d never seen a half-naked, muscular guy up close except in the movies. Edward had been on the lean side. She was mesmerized just watching Trevor breathe.

  “The chief suggested I take you over there instead of just letting you go by yourself. But that’s totally up to you.”

  “Don’t you have to work tomorrow?”

  “Normally, but Greg decided to give us Columbus Day off. What about you? Do you have client appointments?”

  “I have one, but I should be able to move it to Tuesday. If you’re available tomorrow, I’d appreciate having you along.”

  “Good.” He motioned toward the bathroom. “It’s all yours.”

  “Thanks, I—”

  “Are you two negotiating bathroom privileges?” Kendra arrived with a bundle of clothes and a small canvas bag. She pretended to glare at them. “Because I won’t tolerate any bickering.”

  Trevor let out a sigh. “Mom.”

  “Couldn’t resist teasing you, especially after all the reminis
cing last night about the bathroom wars.”

  “Nice.” He rolled his eyes.

  “It helped pass the time,” Olivia said. “I especially loved the story of you installing a new doorknob and keeping the only key.”

  “It would have worked if Ryker hadn’t passed his driver’s test that day. My plan took weeks to set up, but he just drove into town, got a new doorknob and kept the key. He stole my strategy.”

  Olivia smiled. “He admitted it.”

  “He did?”

  “He said you were one step ahead of him. He acted proud of the fact.”

  “Huh.” Trevor seemed pleased by that.

  “It was fun hearing those old stories.” Kendra gazed at her son. “I love having adult children, but sometimes I miss those days. You boys were always up to something.”

  “And now we’re boring?”

  “No, just…mature.”

  “Which is code for boring. Guess it’s time to break out the whoopee cushion and the plastic spiders.”

  “Please don’t.” Kendra patted his arm. “It was just an idle comment.” She handed Olivia the clothes and bag of toiletries. “If anything doesn’t fit, let me know. Mandy might have something better.”

  “I’m sure this will be fine. Thank you so much.”

  “Are you hungry?”

  “Starving.”

  “Good. Everyone will be here around six. But if you can’t wait that long, I’ll—”

  “I can wait that long. Who’s coming?”

  Kendra ticked them off on her fingers. “Ryker and April. Zane, Mandy and her mom, Jo. Cody and Faith. Nicole’s playing tonight so she and Bryce can’t make it, but otherwise it’s the whole fam-damn-ly.”

  Olivia hugged the bundle of clothing to her chest. “If they’re coming at six, I’d better grab a shower and make myself presentable.”

  “You’re always presentable.” Evidently that just popped out, because immediately Trevor got red and cast a quick glance at his mom. “She is, right? Every time she comes over she looks so professional.”

  “She certainly does.” Kendra’s eyes sparkled and she pressed her lips together.

  “Thanks, but I don’t feel particularly professional in this getup, so if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to hit the showers.” She started toward the bathroom.