The Maverick Cowboy

by Kate Pearce

  “Blue.” Jenna tugged at his hand until he came to a stop. “I want to apologize.”

  “For what?”

  “I was angry and frustrated about how to deal with Lily, and I turned that on you when you tried to help.”

  He scuffed the toe of his boot in the soft ground. “But you’re forgetting something.”

  “What?”

  “Rule number one of dating someone with siblings. Never get between them even if asked for an opinion. I was out of line.”

  “You’re always out of line. That’s part of your charm.”

  “And the reason why I mess up all my relationships. You were right about that, too.” He sighed. “You find dealing with Lily frustrating? I sometimes feel the same way when I’m dealing with you.”

  “Why?”

  He looked down at her. “You’re such an amazing person, Jenna. Sometimes it feels like the only person who doesn’t believe that is you.”

  “I want to believe it.”

  He cupped her jaw, his fingers warm and gentle. “Then what’s stopping you?”

  “Fear, I suppose.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Fear of being found . . . lacking.”

  “I’d never do that.”

  “Not by you, but by myself.”

  He considered her for a long moment. “Then I can’t fix that, can I?”

  She mutely shook her head. With a soft sound his arms closed around her and she rested her cheek against his chest. They stood like that for what seemed like hours, and then he cleared his throat.

  “I’m done with the Marines.”

  “Welcome back to civilian life.”

  “And we did the DNA tests tonight. Maria’s decision.”

  She raised her head to look at him. “Are you worried?”

  “Yeah.” His smile was crooked. “Not for the reasons you might think. I’ve already started to think of Maria as part of the family, so whatever happens we’ve all agreed that we’d like to keep her.”

  She stiffened. “She’s not a pet.”

  “And the ultimate decision is of course, hers.”

  Jenna wrinkled her nose. “Sorry, I get twitchy when people talk about adopting or fostering children.”

  “Totally understandable.”

  She put her hand on his chest. “You’re being remarkably amenable this evening.”

  “You mean I’m being nice?” He raised his eyebrows. “I’m always nice.”

  She let that slide. “So, is there anything else you needed to talk to me about?”

  “No, I think we’re good.”

  She desperately wanted to ask him exactly what that meant, and what exactly was good, but didn’t want to give him the satisfaction.

  “Okay, then. Shall I see you tomorrow at the ranch?”

  She half turned back toward the house, and he caught her hand.

  “I didn’t say I was finished.”

  He twirled her back into his arms and kissed her hard. With a breathy moan she kissed him back, her hands all over him.

  When he finally came up for air she was clinging to him like bindweed, her body plastered over his from knee to shoulder. He pushed a few strands of her hair behind her ear and kissed her nose.

  “I told you we were good.”

  “You showed me even better.”

  He studied her intently. “Is there anything you want to tell me?”

  “Like what?”

  His blue gaze darkened. “Like about certain ranchers not letting you work with their animals?”

  She stamped her foot. “Oh, Blue, why do you have to go and spoil everything? I thought you said we were done?”

  “I said I was done. I’m still waiting for a full report from you.” Suddenly he was all business again. “You know those guys don’t represent the whole valley, right?”

  “How would I know that? They are all long-term clients of my uncle’s who are threatening to pull their business because of me. That’s not acceptable. I came here to help out, not to ruin the practice.”

  She took three steps back so that she could see his expression more clearly and then wished she hadn’t.

  “So come and work for us.”

  “I haven’t received an official job offer yet, and I’d still be working with all the locals. What if they refuse to help out at Morgan Ranch because I’m there? That would be even worse than the situation I’m in now.”

  Blue just looked at her.

  “What?”

  “I’ll get Chase to put something in writing, okay?”

  “And what about the rest of it?”

  He shrugged. “That’s up to you.”

  Jenna opened and then closed her mouth. What the heck was she supposed to do now?

  “Time I took you in. Don’t want you getting cold.” Blue took her hand and set off purposefully toward the house. “I’ve got to get back. I drove down from Bridgeport today, and I’m dead on my feet.”

  “You shouldn’t have come all this way out here to see me.”

  He stopped walking. “Hell, yes, I should. Sometimes things can’t wait, Jenna.”

  “I was planning on apologizing to you the moment I saw you,” Jenna confided.

  “Good to know.” His expression softened. “I’ll sleep better knowing we’re on the same page.”

  “Are we?”

  He lowered his head until his lips brushed hers. “Jenna, darling, if we weren’t at your uncle’s house and I hadn’t just eaten my second dinner of the night, I would be stripping you naked and making love to you.”

  “You ate two dinners?”

  His eyebrows shot up. “That’s the only thing that jumped out at you in that romantic speech?”

  She started to laugh and after a moment he joined in. The back door of the house opened and light streamed out catching them cackling like two schoolkids.

  “Oy,” Dave shouted. “Keep it down out there, you’re scaring the dogs.”

  Blue kissed Jenna one last time. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

  She watched him drive away still grinning, Dave by her side.

  Only after she’d reached the sanctuary of her room did her smile disappear. As usual, Blue made everything seem easy. She sank down onto the side of her bed and studied her linked fingers. Could she do it? Could she finally reach out, take what she wanted, and be happy?

  At least she hadn’t told him about her craven plans to return home, but she hadn’t told anyone but Ruth . . .

  “Darn it!” Jenna sat bolt upright.

  She couldn’t imagine Ruth not telling Blue anything she thought would affect him. But he hadn’t mentioned her leaving, and had only offered her an opportunity to stay. Did he know her better than she knew herself? Did he truly see beyond her fears to what she really wanted? That was both the most terrifying and the most exhilarating thought she’d ever had.

  * * *

  Blue drove back slowly, appreciating both the silence and the sense of freedom. For the first time in twelve years he wasn’t serving his country, being shot at, or being bawled out by an officer. The offer to go on the roster at the Mountain Warfare Training Center for the horse-riding course intrigued him. He’d probably sign up, but that was the extent of his desire to go back into the military again. He was lucky. He’d survived relatively unscathed and had a job and a family to come home to. A lot of soldiers didn’t, and the transition to civilian life was often painful.

  He stopped the truck to let himself through two sets of gates and arrived back at the ranch, driving as slowly as possible to minimize the noise. Jenna hadn’t said anything about leaving Morgantown. Should he have pressed her on that? He’d been so damned relieved to find her willing to accept his apology and offer one in return that he hadn’t wanted to spoil their reunion with more questions.

  Maybe this was one of these occasions when he was going to have to try trusting her to make the right decision. Nagging her into something would probably backfire. She really did have to make up her own mind
and make a stand. He sighed as he turned off the engine. She should’ve gone into the Marines. He couldn’t even count the number of times when only blind faith in his colleagues had kept him up and running, and alive.

  Stepping out of the cab, he noticed a shadow moving by the barn and instantly went still. He walked around the truck and down the slope away from the house. As he entered the barn he caught the murmur of a low voice and relaxed.

  “Ry?”

  His brother turned his head and nodded to him. “BB. I’m just saying good-bye to the horses.”

  “You’re leaving?”

  “First thing in the morning. Gotta go talk to HW.”

  Blue leaned against the stall door and patted Nolly, who was busily guzzling carrots out of Ry’s palm. “But you’ll be back?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Will HW come with you?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Blue frowned. “But you two have always done everything together.”

  “Maybe not this time.”

  “What’s he up to?”

  “Hanging out with some real losers.” Ry sighed. “Thinks he’s in love.”

  “Damn.”

  “I’ll tell him what Chase said, but I don’t think he’ll come.”

  “I’m sorry, bro. It was hard enough when I broke things off with Chase. I can’t imagine how it must feel to be fighting with your twin.”

  Ry didn’t say anything for a long while as he continued to pet the horse. “We’re not fighting. We’re just not in sync anymore. It’s kind of like losing half your soul.”

  Blue thought that was the longest and most personal speech Ry had made since returning to the ranch. “Maybe when you get back he’ll have missed you and had an attitude adjustment.”

  “Yeah.”

  Ry didn’t sound very hopeful.

  “Do you want me to go down there and talk to him?”

  “He wouldn’t listen.” Ry stepped back and stared up at the sky. “Man, look at all those stars up there. You just don’t see them in the city.”

  Realizing the subject was now closed, Blue wrapped an arm around his brother’s shoulders and walked him back up to the ranch, telling him about his unavoidable second dinner of the night until Ry was smiling again.

  He needed to sleep well because he was going to have a busy week. Jenna might not believe that her neighbors in Morgantown were more than happy for her to stay, but Blue knew it was true. All he had to do was find a way to let her know it as well.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “What do you mean you can’t make it? I’ve got my bag packed and I’m sitting here waiting for the taxi to take me to the airport. You were supposed to meet me at LAX.” Blue paced up and down the worn rug in his bedroom, his cell clamped to his ear.

  At the other end of the call, Chase sighed. “Jake was in a car crash.”

  “Damn. Is he okay?”

  “They’re not telling us anything yet. I can’t get away until his family arrives from Washington.”

  “What about Matt?”

  “He’s with me. We both need to be here.”

  “I understand. Are we going to reschedule?”

  “I’d rather not do that. I had to pay Big Mike to even agree to see us. I only know where he is right now because the detective agency is keeping a twenty-four-hour tail on him.” Chase hesitated. “Could you get Billy or Jenna to go with you?”

  “I’m not taking Billy.”

  “Okay, that was a stupid suggestion. Take Jenna. I’ll get the tickets changed right now. Call me back when you’re on your way.”

  “Chase—”

  But his brother was already gone. Blue stared at his packed bag for a long, frustrated minute and then picked it up and stomped down the stairs.

  “Ruth!”

  “There’s no need to bellow like a bull. I’m in the parlor.”

  Blue poked his head around the door and eyeballed his grandma. “Chase can’t make the trip. Jake was in an accident. Is Jenna around?”

  “She’s out with Roy and the pigs.”

  “Okay.” He came in and kissed the top of her head. “Look after Maria for me.”

  “Will do. Have a safe trip.” She grabbed hold of his hand. “I hope you find out what you want to hear, BB, but don’t be surprised if you don’t.”

  “Got it.” He kissed her again. “Love you. Tell the taxi to hang out if I’m not back in a few, okay?”

  He left his bag on the front step, jumped into his truck, and drove down toward Roy’s place and the pigsty next to it.

  “Jenna!” He was already talking before he got out of the truck. “I need you.”

  “What’s wrong?” She was up to her elbows in pig shit and on the wrong side of the pigsty wall. “Is it one of the horses? Is it Ruth?”

  “No, I need you to come to San Diego with me right now. Chase can’t make it, and it’s our only chance to get to see Big Mike.”

  “Me?” She glanced uncertainly between Roy and Blue.

  “Chase has already changed the tickets. You’ve got about fifteen minutes. You only need an overnight bag. We’ll be back tomorrow.”

  “But—”

  Blue held her gaze. “Please? I could really do with the company.”

  She sighed. “Okay, but I need to shower and change my clothes.”

  Roy bowed with a flourish. “Mi casa is your casa, lady.”

  “Thanks, Roy. I have an overnight bag in my truck. Could you grab it for me, Blue?”

  “What, are you psychic or something?”

  She was running for the house now, the sweet smell of pig wafting behind her. “No, I often end up covered in unmentionable stuff and need to change. It’s the nature of the job.”

  To his astonishment, in fifteen minutes she was showered, freshly clothed, and sitting beside him in the cab as it headed for the local airport. His cell buzzed and it was Chase’s admin confirming the new ticket assignments. His brother was nothing but efficient even in a crisis.

  Blue typed a thank-you and an inquiry about Jake, but there was no update. Jenna was also busy texting, presumably settling things with her family.

  He touched her arm. “Thanks for doing this.”

  “You didn’t give me much choice.”

  “Chase thinks that if we don’t speak to Big Mike now, we’ll never find him again.”

  “Then let’s go and talk to him.”

  The taxi pulled up at the small local airport, and a man dressed in some kind of uniform opened the door.

  “Mr. Morgan? Ms. McDonald? There’s been a slight change of plan. Mr. Chase Morgan has chartered a private jet for you to complete your journey to San Diego in one hop.”

  “Nice.” Blue grinned at Jenna.

  “I’ve never been in a private plane,” Jenna whispered as they were whisked along a series of hallways to a secure lounge.

  “Neither have I,” Blue confessed. “Unless you count a military transport.”

  “I’ll just check you in.” The man retreated behind a desk, leaving them alone.

  Beyond the door Blue could already hear the rumble of an idling engine. It made his heart rate increase, although he hoped his current mission wouldn’t be quite so stress inducing as his last.

  “Mr. Morgan? We’re ready to go.”

  Blue took hold of Jenna’s hand and marched forward into the unknown. Sometimes that was all you could do.

  * * *

  Time hadn’t been kind to Big Mike. He’d piled on the weight, and even on his massive frame it was starting to show. His vibrant red hair was faded to sand and his weathered face bore the expression of a man who’d let life beat him down.

  He glanced up as Blue and Jenna filed into the seats opposite him in the coffee bar he’d chosen as the meeting place. It was near the sea, but at the less touristy end of the commercial dock.

  “You look familiar.”

  “I’m BB Morgan. You worked on our ranch near Bridgeport a while back. This is Jenna McDonald.”


  Big Mike screwed up his bloodshot eyes. “There was a vet called McDonald, right?”

  “Same family.”

  “Seems not a lot changes out there.” Big Mike sipped his coffee. “So what did you want to talk to me about?”

  Blue contemplated the man sitting opposite him. “Don’t you know?”

  “I don’t remember much.” Mike shrugged his massive shoulders. “Too much booze and too many blows to the head, so they tell me at the clinic.”

  “Okay, then I’ll just put it out there. Do you remember my mother Annie?”

  “Sure I do. She was a nice lady.”

  “I remember she liked you a lot.”

  Big Mike smiled for the first time. “I was popular with the ladies back then.”

  Blue kept quiet, but Big Mike didn’t say anything else, so he tried again. “Annie left the ranch around the same time you did.”

  “Did she now.” His smile disappeared.

  “In fact, we think she left the same night. Can you confirm that?”

  “Maybe she did, maybe she didn’t. I can’t quite recall. After that bastard Roy fired me, I got good and drunk before I packed up my stuff and left.”

  Blue took a careful breath. “And when you left? Did Annie and my baby sister come with you?”

  “What does it matter? What are you trying to do?” Big Mike glared at Blue. “Convict me of something? Because I’ve had enough shit from the cops to last me several lifetimes, and I won’t be dragged back into something that happened so long ago any decent folk would have forgotten it!”

  Blue kept his voice level and pleasant. “You’re talking about the disappearance of my mother and sister. It’s still very important to my family and me. We just want to know the truth.”

  “And I’m telling you I don’t really remember that night at all. I woke up a couple of days later in a motel and was kind of surprised to find myself there.”

  “Were you alone when you woke up?”

  “Yeah.”

  Blue exhaled. “You sure about that?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Then there isn’t really a lot left for me to say, is there?” Blue slid twenty bucks under the coffeepot and stood up.

  “Hold on, where’s the rest of my money?” Big Mike held out his hand.