One to Take (Stuart & Mariska): Sexy Cowboy (One to Hold Book 8)

by Tia Louise

  “Jessie.”

  “Is that significant somehow?”

  “My mother’s name was Jacinda.” My heart warms as I think of another possible use for her name.

  He nods, “Then Jessie it is.”

  * * *

  Stuart

  Ron has arrived when I return to the barn after breakfast. He’s my uncle’s only ranch hand, and like Winona, he came with the place. As such, I’ve known him since I was a kid.

  He greets me with a familiar pat on the shoulder, and I see his formerly jet-black hair is now heavily streaked with grey. Just then Bill walks through the paddock, making his way to where Jessie is corralled beside Freckles.

  I watch him go and notice a hitch in his stride. Sylvia’s words are on my mind, He’s not as young as he used to be. At some point he’s either going to have to sell this place or give it to one of us.

  As if reading my mind, he lets out a mellow growl. “Damnedest thing about getting old…” He passes a hand over his thick grey mustache, eyes twinkling with mischief.

  “What?” I follow to where he’s watching Jessie stamp around on fresh hay.

  “Starting over with a new colt feels like a shit-ton of work to do. Getting bit, getting thrown… Hell,” he sighs. “I don’t know if I’m up to it.”

  Looking over his shoulder, I watch the little filly at the back of the stall. She’s feisty like her mother, itching to run and full of spirit. At the same time, she’s a beautiful horse. She’d bring a decent price if she were trained and sold.

  I rest my forearms on the top rail beside him. “Mariska wants to learn to train a horse. She’s got her eye on this one.”

  “That so?” He steps back, and somehow I get the feeling he knew what I was going to say before I started.

  “I said I’d teach her the ropes. Unless you’ve got other plans for her.”

  “Mariska?”

  My eyes narrow. “The filly.”

  He slaps my shoulder and laughs. “I think Mariska would make a fine horsewoman. It would save me a lot of trouble, too. Have at it.”

  Turning my attention to the colt, I make a clicking noise with my mouth. She shakes her head but doesn’t try to get away. Bill steps up beside me and rests his arms on the stall door. His collar-length grey hair is thick and swept back from his face, and a tan Stetson is on his head.

  “You’re planning to stay through the summer?” he asks.

  Looking down, I think about the right answer. My mother guilt-tripped me into coming here on the premise that my uncle needed my help running the place. Mariska is out of school for the summer, and my business partners are relaxed enough to let me take an extended vacation. It helps that one is my younger brother Patrick and the other is my former commanding officer Derek Alexander.

  “We’ll stay a few weeks,” I finally reply. “As long as you need me.”

  He nods and pushes off the door. “I got a meeting in town with Evan Robertson this evening. He wants to discuss grazing fees for letting his cattle on our land. Feel like tagging along?”

  “Sure.”

  With a nod, he heads toward the door. One thing my uncle and I have in common, we don’t waste words. I study the horse a few minutes longer, a smile nudging at my lips when I remember how excited Mariska got about the idea of training her. She bounced up and down like a little kid with a new toy. Only she’s not a kid. She’s a beautiful, sexy woman, and I’ve been thinking about her body all day, since I woke up alone in bed this morning.

  “Play nice with my lady,” I say under my breath before turning to go.

  We’ll stay for now, but I’m not moving to Great Falls. I have no intention of derailing Mariska’s studies or dragging her out here to the middle of nowhere to be a rancher’s wife. It’s a hard life she’d have to tell me she wanted first.

  2

  Unexpected

  Mariska

  I step out of the jetted, sunken bathtub and lift the plush towel from the rack, patting the water off my skin before picking up my silk robe. My hair is piled on top of my head in a messy bun, and I walk over to the long vanity.

  Stuart rode into town with Bill for some meeting about the neighbor’s cows or something, leaving his mother Sylvia and me at the sprawling ranch house to fend for ourselves. The design of the massive wood-and-stone home is a U-shape, with the kitchen and living area in the center and two long halls of bedrooms and master suites on each side.

  I left Sylvia discussing our dinner plans with Winona, Bill’s cook, and slipped away to relax in the tub. I get so tired in the evenings now, and losing sleep after my nightmare has me even more exhausted.

  Turning to the side, I let the robe fall open so I can see my stomach. It looks the same as it always has—flat. My lips twist, and I tilt my head to the side as I slide my palms over the tight skin trying to imagine how it will look stretched and extended with our little baby. I poke it out hard, but it only makes me laugh.

  “We’re going to have a baby,” I whisper, grinning. A family… I think, and my eyes warm. In addition to being exhausted, my emotions are all over the place now. I cry at the drop of a hat. Hormones. Still, for the first time in my life, I’ll have a real family.

  Growing up, it was only Yaya and me. My mother died before I could remember her, and I never knew my dad. I pick up the white-gold engagement ring that was once Stuart’s grandmother’s. It’s designed like a little flower lying on its side, and I loved it the moment he gave it to me.

  He had wanted to oversize the diamond, but as an artist, there was no way I could let him ruin the original jeweler’s composition. As a result, I have a tiny, quarter-carat diamond engagement ring, and my grumpy fiancé will have to deal with it.

  Smiling at the memory, my eyes move to the mirror, and I spread my palms over my flat stomach again. I can’t wait to tell him, yet at the same time, I’m so nervous. We didn’t plan this. I don’t know how it happened, since I’ve been on the pill for ages to regulate my periods.

  I think he’ll be happy. He likes to be in control and make all the decisions, but a baby is different. Sometimes they just come, whether we’re prepared or not. Who am I kidding? Unexpected is the way our relationship has been since the first day Stuart and I met. He stormed into the gym in Bayville where I worked with my best friend Kenny, and I was mesmerized.

  He was wounded, running. His eyes were haunted, and pain rippled off him in waves. Then my dreams began. I’d wake up screaming, my whole body on fire, and all I could see was his face. He lay on the sand suffering, and I knelt down to give him water…

  I had to see him again. He was The One—as crazy as that sounds. Kenny had a lot of fun teasing me about my response to him. I couldn’t blame her. I’d have given me a hard time, too. It was ridiculous, but it was undeniable.

  In an insanely impulsive act of carpe diem, I followed him all the way here, to Great Falls, where his younger brother Patrick covered for me, saying I was invited. Stuart resisted me a little while before finally taking everything I wanted to give him. Still, he wouldn’t say what we both knew. The bond between us was real and lasting and forever. He pushed me away one too many times, until I left him, going all the way back to Bayville. He came to get me, though, and now look at us. Parents.

  Smoothing lotion over my stomach, I glance at my bright blue toenails and smile. The color reminds me of the big sky over the fields, the reflection on the water. I used to dream in color, which according to Yaya meant I had a gift.

  My dreams of Stuart brought us together and ultimately gave him peace and healing. Unwelcome memories of cold, wet pavement, distorted streetlights, and alleys that grow narrower the farther I run through them trickle into my thoughts like icy water. My brow lines, and I try to make sense of these recent images.

  “What could they mean, baby?” I whisper.

  I don’t even realize I’m not alone until Sylvia’s smooth voice breaks the silence. “How long have you known?”

  “Oh!” I jerk the sides of
the robe closed over my stomach.

  “I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to scare you.” Her green eyes shine with unshed tears as she walks through the bathroom door straight to where I’m standing. “Your door was open, and I’ve been calling you.”

  “I-I didn’t hear you. I’m sorry. I… have a lot on my mind.” Shit!

  “Does Stuart know?”

  Her voice is so calm and wise and warm. I drop my chin and shake my head. “I haven’t told him. I only just found out a few weeks ago.”

  “A new baby.” Clasping her hands, she holds them in front of her mouth. “It’s going to be so much fun!”

  “Sylvia!” I reach for her wrists. “Please don’t say anything yet!”

  “Is something wrong? Is there a problem with—”

  “No! Nothing’s wrong. I don’t think. I just… I want to be sure… That’s all.” Looking down, I try to find the words to explain my feelings. “Stuart’s so in control of everything. I don’t want to tell him until I’m sure he’s ready. I mean, we’re ready…”

  She’s quiet several moments. Glancing up, I see her confusion has melted into something different—something like empathy.

  “Stuart is a lot like his father.” She nods and steps toward the bathroom door. “At the same time, he’s not entirely his father. He has half of me in him, too. He’ll be thrilled you’re having a baby. You’ll see.”

  “Oh, Sylvia…” Crossing the bathroom quickly, I stop beside her and touch her arm. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me.” I slide my hand over my stomach now covered in the slippery robe. “It’s what I’ve wanted for so long. What I’ve longed for. I didn’t even know how much.”

  She covers my hand with hers. “I wouldn’t dream of stealing your moment. At the same time, you need a local doctor if you’re planning to stay here another month.”

  “Maybe.” I look in the mirror again, hugging my waist. “Stuart keeps saying we’ll only be here a few more weeks, but I can tell he wants to stay longer.”

  We’re quiet again, but this time I can tell she’s choosing her words. When she finally speaks, her voice is measured. “I think being here makes him happy.”

  “I do, too.”

  Another long pause, and again, her words are cautious. “How do you feel about being here?”

  It’s a good question. I’m midway through my graduate degree in art back home, and Stuart wants me to transfer my credits to Princeton, where he lives. Correction, where we both will live once we’ve finished moving my stuff from my apartment in Bayville.

  I want to finish my degree and stick to the plan, and yet… I remember last winter here in Great Falls, nights wrapped in an Indian blanket, making love in front of a blazing campfire under a sky full of stars.

  “I think I’ll be happy wherever my family is.”

  She doesn’t say anything, and when I look up, I’m surprised she’s not smiling. Her forehead is lined, and she only nods. “It’s a hard decision to make right now—in the summer when you’re in love. Now with a baby on the way… Maybe Stuart is right. Maybe you need to give it more thought.”

  I’m ready to argue, to explain what I meant, but she heads to the door. “I’ll let you get dressed. Whatever happens, you still need a doctor. Winona can give us a recommendation, and I’m happy to make you an appointment. We can go into town tomorrow.”

  “Thanks,” I say as she disappears through the door.

  Looking again at my reflection, I think ahead six months to when we’ll be holding our baby. I meant what I said. I’ll be happy wherever my family is.

  * * *

  Stuart

  Bert & Ernie’s Tavern and Grill has brick walls, wooden booths, and brass-lantern-style lights hanging from the ceiling. A shelf holding what looks like a bottle of every kind of beer ever made runs along the ceiling, and it’s noisy and boisterous as a growing dinner crowd filters in. Evan Robertson is at a long table in the back with two younger men who look like his sons.

  The last time I saw Evan was during the Chinook last December. The weather phenomenon drives strong winds down from the mountains, raising temperatures dramatically and causing some animals to panic. His herd of beef cattle mixed with buffalo stampeded, and I’d joined Bill and a team of local ranchers and hands to help round them up.

  “Bill,” Evan stands as we approach. A smile crosses his face at the sight of me. “Stuart! I wasn’t expecting you. It’s been a while.”

  “Stuart and his fiancée are in town visiting.” Bill shakes the man’s hand and pulls out a chair. I do the same.

  “These are my two boys, Ryan and Cal,” he gestures to the men. “Here, let me buy you a drink.”

  “Pepsi for me,” Bill says.

  “Stuart?” Evan pivots, giving my shoulder a firm grip. “You’ll take something stronger I know.”

  “Johnnie Walker,” I pull out a chair beside my uncle, across from the Robertsons.

  A waitress dressed in a tight white tee and black short-shorts appears to take our drink orders. Ryan, the younger of the two sons, makes a low whistle.

  She gives him a wink. “What can I get you boys?”

  “Stay and eat with us,” Evan says to Bill. “The blue-cheese Angus burger will make you fire Winona.”

  “I doubt it,” my uncle says with a chuckle, giving me a glance.

  I shrug. “Sure.”

  Several minutes later, I’m halfway through my scotch when five servings of burgers, onion rings, and poutine are placed in front of us.

  “I haven’t had poutine in years,” I say, scooping up a French fry covered with gravy and cheese curds. The burger I ordered is hearty angus cut by the soapy-creamy flavor of blue cheese. It’s delicious.

  “Well?” Evan grins, watching my uncle lean back from his Hades burger, a thick beef patty covered with jalapenos and cucumber ranch.

  “I’ll have to drive Winona out here for lunch,” he says slowly. His neighbor breaks into a laugh.

  Cal laughs loudly before taking a long sip of his draft beer. I cut my eyes at the guy, not sure what I think of him. Both of Evan’s sons come across as immature, and I figure their father won’t be turning his cattle ranch over to them any time soon.

  Once we’ve finished eating, the conversation turns from last year’s Chinook and the subsequent round-up to how severe everyone’s predicting the coming winter to be, until finally we arrive at the business that brought us here. Fresh pints of draft are placed in front of the three Robertsons. I get a refill on my whiskey.

  “You know I don’t mind a monthly grazing fee,” Evan says, taking a sip of his brew. “But that’s a couple hundred acres of prime grassland going unused since you slowed down the ranch.”

  Bill’s eyes are on the table. His elbow is bent, and I watch as he strokes his mustache thinking.

  Evan presses forward. “Conway and I are considering a merger. He’s got fifty head of bison and a contract with Gordon’s. It’s a large demand to meet.”

  Conway Hendricks’s large spread borders Bill’s to the north. He also joined the roundup last year, along with a few of his hired hands.

  “I’m not sure I like the sound of that.” Bill shifts in his seat. “Get too many of these herds on the land, and you wind up with a dustbowl.” Cal makes a grunting noise of dissent, but my uncle continues. “I’m happy to let you cross over, back and forth, but I’m not onboard with a full-scale expansion.”

  “You can’t stop progress, Bill. Places like Logan’s and Turner’s specialize in wild game. They need the meat.”

  “They can go other places.” Bill’s voice is solemn, and I know he’s speaking as much as a rancher as an old ex-hippie. Balance has always been his creed.

  “Or…” Evan’s voice slows. “How would you feel about parceling up some of your unused property and selling it?”

  Shifting in my chair, I don’t expect my level of irritation at this suggestion. It’s not like the ranch is our family farm. Bill has been here almost twenty years, but w
e didn’t grow up on the place. As if sensing my reaction, he shoots me a confident grin.

  “Don’t think I’ll be doing that,” he says. “I get suspicious when folks start trying to get rid of me.”

  “We’d never suggest that.” Evan smiles, but it doesn’t seem sincere to me.

  “How would you feel about capping the size of your herd?” Bill gives him a wink.

  “How would you feel about being more cooperative?” Evan’s youngest son Ryan is one crack away from a smack across the mouth.

  “That’s enough.” His father scolds him, but I’m not satisfied.

  “I agree with Bill.” The irritation in my voice silences the table. Three pair of eyes flash to me.

  “I didn’t know you had a dog in this fight, Stuart,” Evan says.

  Meeting his cool blue eyes, I level my gaze. “It’s a possibility I might be taking over the place. If that happens, we’ll bring back the horses, and I don’t want an overabundance of steers mucking up their running space.”

  It’s quiet several moments, and I’m gratified that the two younger Robertsons back down. Evan raises his eyebrows before taking a slug of his drink. “Well, that changes things.”

  Bill leans away, giving me a sideways grin. “I’d say it does.” He stands, fishing out his wallet. I’m right beside him. “Well, I thank you for the drinks. Always good talking to you, Evan. Boys.”

  He nods, placing his hat on his head, and I give them a tight smile before following him through the tables and out the door.

  “Little punk needs to be taught a lesson,” I grumble as we climb into the truck.

  “Nah, he’s just young. Feeling his oats.” My uncle looks through the windshield as he turns the key and gets us on the road to home.

  We don’t do a lot of talking on the drive, which isn’t unusual for us, still the weight of what I said is hanging in the air.