by Jodi Thomas
“You do? How?”
He sat up and shoved his hair back, then winced at the pain. He took a long breath and said, “I thought you would have figured it out by now, but I’ll explain so that there will be no misunderstanding between us.” He met her gaze and held it. “I want you in my arms. I want you in my bed. I want to be so close that we share air and so deep inside you I forget there is a world other than with you.”
“Oh,” she said, sitting up to face him.
He laughed. “You know for a smart girl, you surprise me. Or maybe I’ve had too little practice to get my feelings across. I don’t suppose you want the same thing?”
She raised her chin. “I might. What did you have in mind?”
He glanced at the sun coming in the open door. “I would say we do everything right here, right now, but your father will be sending a hunting party for you any minute. How about we start now and finish tonight at the hotel? I don’t want to be interrupted.”
“All right.” She could feel her nerves jumping. “What do we do first?”
“Unbutton that undergarment,” he said, smiling a dare. “I think we could call that a start.”
She sat perfectly straight and unbuttoned her camisole. Her gaze never left his eyes.
“Now pull it apart, darling, if you don’t mind.” His voice was lower.
She tugged the thin layer of cotton open an inch at a time and saw only pleasure in his dark gaze.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered. “Beautiful.”
She closed her eyes as he raised his hand and covered one breast. His other hand slid to the back of her neck as he gently laid her down on the straw bed. When his fingers closed around her and tightened, she let out a cry of joy. He lowered his mouth over hers and caught her next moan of pleasure.
“This is how we’ll start tonight,” he whispered. “Only the door will be locked and we’ll have all night. I don’t want to hurry loving you. We need to take our time getting to know each other.” He kissed his way down her throat without turning loose of her breast.
When all thought but what he was doing to her had left her mind, she felt him move away and she protested.
“It’s begun, darling. There’s only one way this is going to end and I plan to make sure you enjoy each step.” He stared at her as if she were a work of art. “We’d better stop now while I can. When I ride tonight I won’t be thinking of the pain. All that I’ll be dreaming of is having you all alone.”
He leaned and kissed the tip of her breast, then pulled the cotton back in place. “You surprise me, Laurel.”
“How?”
“I didn’t think you’d love a man’s touch.”
“I don’t. I love your touch and it is quite possible I may never find another’s of any interest.”
He grinned, satisfied with her answer.
She sat up and buttoned her clothes.
Watching her hands, he thought about how fine and beautiful they were. He liked her hands. Hell, he almost said aloud, he liked everything about her.
Lost in his thoughts he realized she’d been talking. He only hoped he hadn’t missed something important.
“I’ll pack and leave my trunk at the hotel. Bonnie Lynn will watch it for me and tell no one. As soon as you ride, I’ll find the buyer and have him meet us at the hotel. He said he could bring ten percent in cash and have the rest deposited wherever we like.”
He smiled. “You’re sure I’ll win. You’ve planned everything.”
“I’m betting on it.”
“And if I don’t?” He had to know what would remain between them if tonight didn’t go as planned.
“Then I’ll go home as if nothing has changed and pick up the bag when I’m in town alone.” Her blue eyes met his. “It may take me a few hours, but I’ll meet you under the cottonwoods before midnight.”
He knew what she meant. What was going to happen between them would happen. At the hotel, or beneath the stars. It would happen.
He stood. “Until tonight,” he said as he kissed her. The need to whisper that he thought he loved her built inside him, but he couldn’t—wouldn’t love her. Love had killed his father and he’d never allow himself to crumble. Better never to love than to let it eat you away inside if love is lost.
At the door, he stopped her one step before the sun reached their faces. “Tell me you need me,” he whispered against her ear.
“I need you,” she answered.
He brushed a kiss into her hair. “Tonight, wait for me. I’ll be there in time for a late supper.”
He waited for her to answer, then smiled, guessing she wouldn’t say the word until he did and as long as he didn’t use the word love he could walk away if that was still the way she wanted it after their night together.
Chapter 10
Laurel sat in her tiny office and sharpened each of her pencils to a fine point, then lined them up neatly. If Rowdy won tonight, she wouldn’t be coming back. For as long as she could remember this house had been her home. They’d moved here the summer before her father went to New Orleans and brought back a new wife. It had always been a cold house. Her stepmother’s mood swings and her father’s temper made it impossible for any housekeeper to stay more than a few seasons.
All she’d ever felt in this place was alone. She knew she wouldn’t spend one day of her life to come missing it.
“You about ready to go?” her father said from the doorway.
“More than ready.” She stood. “All is in order and up to date.”
“Good.” He smiled. “That schooling of yours was worth the money.”
She didn’t answer his almost-compliment as they walked to the parlor to wait for her sisters.
“You know that place over the creek, the Darnell Ranch?” he asked as if making conversation.
The attempt was so rare, it surprised Laurel. “Yes, I ride over there now and then.”
He nodded, only half listening. “The sheriff tells me it’s up for sale. I’m thinking of making Darnell’s son a rock-bottom price. He’s been gone so long he’ll have no idea what it’s worth and once I offer I’d be surprised if anyone tried to top me.”
“How much is it worth?” Laurel tried to keep her tone bland as if simply making conversation.
“A small fortune, I’m guessing. They say the water’s good. In the right hands, it could be a great addition to my holdings.” He shrugged. “Since the young Darnell didn’t win best all-around, I’m thinking he’ll be needing money to move on and will take my first offer no matter how low I make it.”
Laurel fought to swallow. “How do you know he won’t win?”
“I heard he was hurt last night.”
She couldn’t say a word without giving away far more than she wanted her father to know.
He patted her pale cheek, seeing only her frailty. “Don’t worry, Laurel. When I buy the place you can still ride over there if you like. I might even have a gate cut in the fence so you could cross through.” Then as if he’d rationed out all his kindness for the day, he walked away yelling for his other daughters to get downstairs immediately.
A few minutes later, she silently climbed into the wagon. Her father rode his horse, making one of the men handle the surrey’s team. Laurel sat alone on the backseat trying to figure out how her father had known Rowdy was hurt. Of course it was possible his men saw Dan carry him into the barn. Maybe the man who almost tumbled over Rowdy in the mud told someone, who told someone. Only they weren’t in town that long after she’d visited the barn and, as far as she knew, both her father and his men had been working on the ranch all day.
She walked around and around the obvious answer, hoping to find another reason for her father knowing than that he somehow had ordered the attack.
When they reached the town square and her family hurried off to watch the children ride lambs and rope pigs, Laurel lay her coat over the small traveling bag she’d used when she went back and forth to school. With her head high, she walked direc
tly to the hotel.
When she found Bonnie Lynn, she asked, “Do you have somewhere you can store this for me?”
Bonnie didn’t ask questions, she just nodded and took the case.
“I may be needing a room later.”
“We’re full,” Bonnie Lynn said, “but I wouldn’t be surprised if some folks don’t head home tonight after the rodeo’s over. Don’t you worry about your things. I’ll put them in my room. They’ll be safe there and I’ll make sure you get the first room that comes open.”
Laurel smiled, silently thanking the girl for asking no questions. “One more favor. Do you know where Rowdy is?”
Bonnie winked. “That is no favor. He’s sitting in the bar with my Dan having a piece of my pie.”
Laurel took a breath. “I need to talk to him alone.”
“I’ll have him meet you in the parlor. It’s always empty this time of day.”
While the maid went to put up her case and tell Rowdy, Laurel stood in the front room and stared out dirty windows at the circus atmosphere outside. Everyone for a hundred miles around seemed to be in town. She watched as people walked only a few feet beyond the window and didn’t notice her. That seemed to be how life in this town had always been for her, no one noticed her. She was invisible, or she had been to everyone but Rowdy.
Just as she saw Jeffery Filmore turn up the steps of the hotel, she heard Rowdy’s voice.
“Good afternoon, Miss Laurel,” he said. He stood politely with his hat in his hand, but she didn’t miss the devil of a grin on his face.
When she nodded slightly, he added, “You’re looking quite lovely this day.”
She heard the front door open and knew within a few seconds Jeffery Filmore would be near enough to see them.
Shoving past Rowdy, she whispered, “Don’t sell your ranch.”
He’d raised his arms to hold her, but she was already in the doorway.
“Promise me!”
Jeffery’s voice boomed. “I thought I’d find you here, Laurel.”
Rowdy nodded and backed away so that the banker couldn’t see him standing behind her.
“I’m not much for the nonsense on the streets,” Jeffery complained. “In fact, I’ll be glad when this whole thing is over and we can go back to normal.” He was getting closer. “I thought I’d come in and have a cup of tea with you. Your father and I have been talking and there are a few plans you need to be working on.”
“No.” Laurel held up her hand, trying to think. “No tea. Not now. Since you’re here I’m sure it would be all right for me to have tea in the café.”
“It’s more of a bar. No proper place for you.”
Rowdy moved behind the door so that he wouldn’t be seen until the banker was well into the room. And he couldn’t step inside with Laurel blocking the door.
“I’ve heard,” she said. “But I understand they serve pie in there and I’d love a piece, dear.” The endearment tasted sour on her tongue, but she had to get him out of the way before he noticed Rowdy.
Filmore frowned at her as if he thought she had taken ill. “All right,” he finally said, more in answer to the pie than her.
“I might have a slice myself.”
Laurel tugged the door closed as she followed the big man.
A moment before she let go, she felt Rowdy’s fingers reach for hers, but she couldn’t take the chance of ruining their dream now. He didn’t know what was going on or how her father planned to cheat him, but she prayed he trusted her enough to follow her advice.
Chapter 11
Rowdy moved around the door frame in time to see Laurel disappear with the banker. Filmore laid his hand at the small of her back as if he had the right to touch her and wanted everyone to know it.
Anger washed over him as the scars of five years log-piled in his thoughts.
Who did he think he was kidding? Laurel Hayes was a rich man’s daughter and he had one dollar to his name. She’d been sent away to school and he’d been sent to prison. The chance of her caring for him was about as likely as snow on a summer night.
He couldn’t deny she was attracted to him. He’d felt the sparks fly whenever they were within touching distance. They both liked the game they’d played the past few days, but it was just a game to her. A pastime to make the rodeo more interesting maybe. She’d have no supper waiting for him in a hotel room tonight. There’d be no lovemaking.
She’d called the pig “dear.” That one word kept sparking against his mind, sharpening anger with each memory. He would have thought five years of living with thieves and liars would have taught him not to believe anything anyone said.
He had no idea why she’d told him not to sell his land. Maybe that was part of the game she played also. She and Filmore were probably laughing about it right now over pie.
All he knew for sure was she left him and went with the banker. She could have told Filmore to wait a few minutes because she was busy talking to him. Or she could have introduced them as if they were equals. But she hadn’t. She’d shoved him aside. She’d refused his touch. She kept him out of sight because he was her dirty little secret.
Rowdy hit the hotel door at a run. He stopped by the grounds and took his pick of among the last few wild horses left to ride, then found Dan near the barn.
“What’s wrong?” the big Irishman asked the moment he saw Rowdy.
“Nothing.”
Dan frowned. “I would have guessed that right off.” He slapped Rowdy on the back. “You want to go down to pick out a mount? I’m thinking one of them might look sleepy or tired. That would be the one to ride. All you got to do is stay in the saddle, cowboy, and you’ll win this thing.”
Rowdy didn’t answer or move toward the corral.
Dan watched him closely. “You don’t look like a man who cares if he wins.”
“I care,” Rowdy answered as he checked Cinnamon’s cinch, “but I’m not going for third. I plan to win this event.”
Dan laughed. “Good way to think,” he said. “Then with two first places you’ll have a hundred dollars plus the cattle. That’d make you a fine start on that ranch of yours. You could use the money to rebuild the cabin and fatten up a few of the cattle to sell off this fall to get you through the winter. With two hundred head, you could have three hundred by this time next year.”
“I’m selling all the cattle tonight, and as soon as I find a buyer for the ranch, I’m never coming back to this place.”
Dan played along. “I can understand that. You got a good ranch with water most of us would fight you for and a woman who looks at you like you’re about the grandest thing she’s ever seen. If I was in your shoes, I’d run as hard and fast as I could as well.”
Rowdy’s swear died on his lips as he turned and saw Laurel’s father and two of his men walking up the passage between the pens. The old man was headed straight for him.
He and Dan stood staring as if watching a storm moving in over open land. When the captain and his cowhands were within ten feet, Rowdy thought he heard the jangle of silver spurs. The bright day turned into a stormy night of memories, but he didn’t move a muscle.
“Rowdy Darnell,” Hayes began as if he wasn’t sure which man was which.
“Yes.” Rowdy didn’t offer his hand.
The captain straightened, allowing his years of army service to show. “I’m here, young man, with an offer I think you’ll want to hear.” He gave Dan a look that made it plain the conversation was only between them and the pig farmer should leave.
“We’re listening,” Rowdy said, silently letting everyone know that he wanted Dan to stay.
Dan looked like a bull shifting from one foot to the other. He, like everyone in town, knew the captain carried a great deal of weight, but Rowdy was one of Dan’s few friends.
Rowdy ended his indecision by adding, “Dan, I’d like you to stay. I’ve developed a worry over being alone out here after last night.”
Dan took the hint. He crossed his powerful arms a
nd stood shoulder to shoulder with his friend.
Hayes, surprisingly, looked concerned. “Oh, why is that, Mr. Darnell? Did something happen last night?”
Rowdy looked at the cowhand whose spurs sparkled in the sunshine. “Nothing that mattered.” He lowered his voice. With the hint of a wild animal growling, he added, “Nothing that will ever happen again.”
Hayes seemed bored and drew Rowdy back to him by saying, “I’ve come with an offer for your ranch. Now I know it’s not worth much, never truly been built into anything, but out of respect for your father and my neighbor, I’m here to offer you a thousand dollars more than your father paid for it.”
Rowdy knew Dan would react and he did. “That’s not a fourth what it’s worth, Mr. Hayes, and you know it.”
“It’s Captain Hayes,” Laurel’s father corrected.
Dan shook his head. “Changing your handle don’t make any difference in what the ranch is worth.”
The captain looked bothered. “All right.” He smiled at Rowdy. “Your friend may be right. I haven’t priced anything for a while. I’ll up the offer by another two thousand but that is the best I can do. I don’t think you’ll find anyone around who’ll make you a better price.”
Dan huffed. “I would if I had the money.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Rowdy finally spoke, “because the ranch is not for sale at any price.”
“There’s always a price,” Hayes corrected.
“Not this time.” As angry as he was at Laurel, her last words echoed in his thoughts, warning him. He couldn’t make the pieces fit.
The captain didn’t look defeated. “You think about it, Darnell. For most here, you’re a stranger and it won’t be easy making a go of it. For the rest, you’re nothing but a jailbird. They’ll remember and never trust you. You’d be better off to take the money and move on.”
He started to leave, then turned back. “I just heard that you picked the wildest mount to ride today. Rumor is that horse has put more than one cowboy in a wheelchair.”
