The Cowboy's Return

by Susan Crosby

  “I expect one of us will be waking the other at some point. But that would happen even if you wore long johns that buttoned everywhere. You’re not gonna be safe from me until Austin gets back.”

  “Is that a promise?”

  “Promise, guarantee, oath. Or possibly a threat, depending on how you look at it. Choose one.”

  She looped her arms around his neck. “Threat sounds dangerous.”

  “A threat’s just a promise with more passion.”

  “Then I’ll take the threat, please.”

  He laughed at her politeness. “Feel free to issue your own threats in return.”

  She went silent for several seconds. He waited her out, not trying guess what was on her mind.

  “You haven’t asked any questions about my marriage,” she said finally.

  “I figured you’d tell me what you wanted me to know.”

  “I don’t have much to say about it, except this one thing, because it relates to you.” She stepped back, reaching for his hands, keeping contact. “My sexual relationship with Rick was nothing like you and I just had, and that was our first time. It’s hard to imagine it’ll get even better with practice, but I guess it will. I’ve never really had the freedom to, you know, explore or experiment.”

  “Well, I want you to feel free to put me under your microscope. Prove any hypothesis you’ve been pondering. Consider your bedroom your laboratory.”

  She laughed and kissed him, then hauled him out of the room. Bo scratched at the front door, hearing them. He came flying inside, raced down the hall to Austin’s room, then came back out slowly, his claws tapping the floor.

  “He’ll be home before you know it,” Mitch said, scratching the dog’s ears. “I had a dog as a kid, too, who missed me like crazy when I left for college and was always thrilled when I came home.”

  “I didn’t know you went to college,” Annie said as she washed her hands at the kitchen sink.

  “All six of us have. Our parents required it.”

  She pulled out leftover meat loaf, the bread left from breakfast and a few tomatoes for hot meat loaf sandwiches. “What’d you major in?”

  “I double majored in range ecology and animal science.”

  She gave him a steady look. “Why aren’t you working in your field?”

  “I am. Maybe not this second, but most of my career has involved what I learned in college—plus many more years of experience. How about you?” he asked, wanting to distract her from asking more personal questions.

  “No college, but I’ve read a hundred books on farming, and thousands of articles, and talked to experts, educating myself. I’ve been thinking I should have a website built, not to draw the public but for people like Brenna, organic restaurant owners and maybe small specialty grocers. As soon as I get certified I can go after that business, but I figure I should be ready to go with the site ahead of time. What do you think?”

  “I think you’re smart and savvy.” He grabbed plates from the cupboard and glasses to pour iced tea.

  “I’ll ask at the farmer’s market tomorrow, see if anyone can recommend a designer. Or maybe I’ll tackle it on my own. It doesn’t have to be fancy.”

  “It has to look professional in order for others to see you as a professional. That’s important.”

  While she warmed the meat loaf, he sliced tomatoes. “Mustard? Ketchup?” he asked, opening the refrigerator.

  “Both, please.”

  They took their plates to the dining room. “It’s weird with Austin gone,” Annie said. “He always fills up the space with conversation.”

  “Worried we won’t have anything to talk about?” Mitch asked.

  “I think we would have a lot more if there weren’t any barriers between us.”

  Ah. He’d wondered how long it would take. Maybe he’d been right. Maybe they’d made love for the first and last time. He set his sandwich on the plate. “You told me you didn’t want to know my name.”

  “Yet. But that was also before I slept with you. Why do I have the feeling everything will be different when I find out?”

  He didn’t say anything, because the only thing he could honestly say was, “Yes, it’ll be different.” He knew she didn’t want to hear that.

  She took a bite of her sandwich, studying him thoughtfully as she chewed. He picked his up again. Neither of them said anything until they were finished.

  “I’ve made a decision,” she said finally.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Annie saw Mitch’s fists clench where they rested on the table. He was a good, decent person. She didn’t believe whatever revelations he had were all that horrible. They’d just gotten caught up in the deception and now were paying for it. It would turn out okay. She knew it would.

  “You know how sometimes something happens that there’s just no going back from? You can’t turn back the clock? You have to live with your choice?”

  “Yes,” he said without hesitation.

  “That’s what’s happened here. The opportunity has passed. We’ll stick with the plan,” she said. “For now.”

  She could see he didn’t think they were doing the right thing, which made her even more afraid of what the truth was. But this time she would be selfish. She hadn’t been selfish in a very long time.

  “Now that the decision is made, let’s leave it behind and enjoy the week,” she said. “Deal?”

  “Nothing would please me more, boss,” he said with a quick grin, setting a new tone. He pushed his chair back, grabbed her hand and tugged her onto his lap, straddling him. “Do you ride?” he asked, cupping her rear, steadying her.

  “Maybe if we were naked.”

  He tipped his head back and laughed. “I meant horses, but I do like the way you think.”

  “Oh.” It was hard to think when he was unbuttoning her blouse. “Once. Years ago. Not my finest hour. That horse knew I was afraid of him before I even climbed into the saddle.”

  He let her blouse hang open but didn’t touch her. His breath fell on her bare skin, warm and arousing.

  “I know it’s too late today,” he said. “Especially since you need to be here for Austin’s call, and tomorrow is taken up with the farmer’s market, so how about Tuesday after chores I borrow a couple of horses and take you for a ride. We can pack a picnic lunch. I’ll show you a different place on the river, accessible only by horseback. If you feel like skinny-dipping, you can. If not, you can watch me.”

  “I do love watching you naked,” she said. She didn’t think she’d ever get tired of that.

  “You took the words out of my mouth.” He ran his fingertips along her bra, dipping into her cleavage.

  She wriggled a little, trying to get more comfortable. “You were wrong. You didn’t need much time at all.”

  “You put a spell on me.” He dipped his tongue between her breasts. “Are you seducing me back into your bed?”

  “You’re the one who pulled me onto your lap and unbuttoned my blouse.”

  “Oh, yeah.” He grinned. “I forgot. But just so you know, you seduce me just looking at me.”

  “Ditto.” She pressed a kiss to his mouth, sought his tongue with hers, was transported into another world. He managed to get her blouse and bra off her, then his hands and fingers were busy exploring. He added the warm wetness of his mouth, and she arched back, thoroughly enjoying his attentions.

  “Wanna go to your room?” he asked.

  She pressed her forehead to his and nodded. “Sometime when it’s dark, and the curtains are drawn, and there’s little chance of anyone dropping in, I want to do this again—without clothes.”

  “It’s a date.”

  He stood, swinging her into his arms, and walked toward the bedroom. The phone rang.

  “It’s
too early for Austin,” she said.

  He lowered her enough to grab the phone but didn’t let go of her. It was all she could do not to giggle as she said hello.

  “Hey, Annie, it’s Ginny. Listen, I know I promised I’d help you set up and take down tomorrow since your son’s gone, but my husband is in the hospital having an emergency appendectomy. Just wanted to give you a heads-up, so you can get someone else to help.”

  Mitch sat down in a nearby chair, still holding her, but otherwise not touching or teasing her, content to wait her out, not willing to let her go now that he had her. Fantasies did come true. He’d been creating scenarios in his head for weeks about her. They’d barely scratched the surface of those vivid scenes, but he figured most of them would be satisfied during the days ahead. She was more than willing.

  A part of him was pleased he was satisfying her in ways she’d never been before, and a part of him was sorry for her about that. She’d been denied for too long. He intended to change that.

  After she said goodbye, he took the phone from her and hung it up. “Bad news?”

  “Just a little extra work tomorrow at the market. No big deal. Now, where were we?”

  But the phone rang before he could move. As he listened to her side of the conversation, he realized they needed to put a second round of lovemaking on hold for now. He gathered up her bra and blouse, then helped dress her as she talked.

  “Sounds like you need to change plans,” he said when she hung up.

  “Four of us are going to harvest Ginny’s crops for market. Then tomorrow we’ll go early and set up her booth, too.”

  “I’m sorry I can’t help.”

  “It’s okay. I won’t leave until Austin calls, which should be fairly soon.”

  “I’m going to work on reorganizing the barn. I’ve been planning how it could be changed around a bit.”

  “Really? Thanks.”

  “You know, you never answered me about going riding on Tuesday.”

  “You noticed.”

  He took her hands. “You’re scared. I see that. I know where I can get a very gentle mare, and I’ll be right next to you.” He crouched a little to get her to look at him. “This should be a week of all kinds of adventures, Annie.”

  “Okay, okay. But can we make it later in the week? And don’t blame me if I’m too sore to fool around afterward.”

  “I can work around that. Bet you don’t complain once.” He left the house, leaving her to ponder his words, satisfied with how everything was going.

  He was happy, too, something he was afraid to trust.

  He’d been working in the barn for about a half hour when Annie joined him, keys in hand.

  “Austin just called, so I’m going now.”

  “Is he okay?”

  “He sounded subdued, actually.”

  “Jet lag?”

  “I don’t know. I had a feeling Rick was standing right there.”

  “He’ll be fine. He’s probably homesick.”

  She nodded, then kissed him. “See you in a while.”

  “I’m pretty sure you’re gonna need a shower when you get back. And I know for sure that I will.”

  She just grinned and sashayed away. Oh, yeah, her soaped-up body would make for a great playground.

  Mitch measured and cut planks to build some rough shelves, along with cement blocks he found. Storage space was almost nonexistent, but she needed lots. He measured and cut, running the circular saw time and again.

  Which is why he didn’t hear anyone drive in, or even Bo barking. But suddenly Marissa was standing just inside the barn door staring at him. She looked a little older, but also the same.

  And he felt nothing. No anger, no hurt, no attraction.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked. “Wait. Are you Annie’s handyman?”

  “For the moment.” He walked over to her.

  “She never said anything. I told her we’d been married....”

  “Did you ever say my last name?”

  She frowned. “I don’t know. Why?”

  “She doesn’t know it. I saw you when your son was video-chatting with Austin, and I told Annie we’d been married. Look, I know you’re becoming friends. I haven’t said anything about you.”

  “I think you need to start at the beginning. Why doesn’t she know who you are?”

  They sat on a couple of hay bales, and he laid it out for her, trusting her, figuring she didn’t want to hurt Annie any more than he did.

  “This is a risky game you’re playing, Mitch. I can tell you have feelings for her. You should tell her. The sooner, the better.”

  “One more week.”

  “Why? Oh. Austin’s gone. I get it.” She stood. “I won’t say anything to her or anyone else, so you can rest easy about that.”

  “Why’d you come?”

  “I figured she’d be having a hard time her first night alone. Looks like I need to start calling first.”

  “That’s generally a good idea.” He walked to her car with her.

  “I’m sorry for how I treated you, Mitch,” she said abruptly, seriously. “I’ve regretted it for years. I was so immature.”

  He hadn’t realized how much he’d needed to hear that from her. It opened up a place in his heart he’d kept closed and locked. “Bygones, Mar. But thank you. I could’ve handled things better myself then, too.”

  “I’ve been wanting to return the money I made you give me for my share of the house. Just because it was technically legally mine didn’t mean I should’ve forced you to give it to me. The money’s been in an account that I haven’t touched since the first year. I’ll write you a check.”

  “There’s no need.” Everyone seemed to be giving him money these days. It was a little overwhelming.

  “It’s necessary to my peace of mind. My husband agrees. I heard you were out of the country or I would’ve already repaid you.”

  “Are you happy? Annie told me about your kids, and that you’re pregnant with twins.”

  “My life is great. John’s a good dad and a wonderful husband.” She opened her car door. “I don’t know how I can talk to Annie now, at least not until the truth is out.”

  “I think she feels the same, but don’t let all this stop you from becoming friends. We’ve both moved on. I’m okay with it if you are.”

  She hugged him. He felt the hard roundness of her belly for a few seconds. Suddenly he longed to have a child. With Annie. To watch her belly grow, to hold her hand while she was in labor, to see his child come into the world.

  Fate, he thought, accepting it as he always did. Marissa had been brought here for a reason. They’d needed to forgive each other. They’d done so without saying the words, but they’d forgiven. “I’m glad you came by,” he said.

  “Me, too.”

  She drove off. He stood in the yard watching long after her car disappeared. His boots felt stuck, as if in concrete. His body had doubled in weight. He couldn’t move. Everything he’d clung to for years was disintegrating, leaving his emotions naked and raw. He couldn’t hate her anymore. He couldn’t hate himself for how cold he’d been to her through the divorce, making life even harder for both of them. They’d both made mistakes. Big mistakes.

  He’d paid way too long for his. She’d moved on with her life and was happy. Glowing, even. That was what he wanted now.

  Except that now he’d gotten himself into a predicament he might not be able to extricate himself from.

  Payback could be hell.

  * * *

  It wasn’t quite dark when Annie got home. Everything was quiet, too quiet. The chickens were in the coop. The dog didn’t come bounding to greet her. The yard looked orderly.

  Then her front door opened and Mitch was standing there,
a welcoming expression on his face. Bo shoved past him and raced to her, jumping up.

  “Bo, down,” Mitch said. He’d been working with him, and with Austin, to get the dog trained. He was fine with either man or boy, but he didn’t take orders from her.

  Yet, she thought. She’d worked with him when...

  When Mitch was gone.

  “You get everything done?” Mitch asked as she climbed the stairs.

  “I think so. More people came to help, too. Someone will take a load of peaches to her San Francisco buyers tomorrow morning, which will ease that burden for Ginny and her husband.” She hugged Mitch, then stayed in his arms, relaxing against him. “How’d things go here?”

  “Would you like to see?”

  “Of course.”

  They held hands as they walked to the barn. He turned on the lights.

  “It’s not finished yet, but you can see what it’ll look like.”

  “Yes. Neat. Structured. Everything easy to find. I won’t know where anything is.” She grinned, pleased.

  “You get to put everything away. That’s the point—to be able to find what you need. I’ll probably finish up while you’re at the market tomorrow.”

  She studied his face. “Are you exhausted?”

  “Not particularly. Why?”

  “You seem unusually calm.”

  “The calm before the hurricane, maybe.” He wrapped her close. “I’m anxious.”

  “So am I.”

  “Are you hungry?”

  “I ate three perfectly ripe, sweet peaches. I don’t need anything at the moment. Did you eat?”

  “Cookies and ice cream.”

  “I’m thinking we might need steak to fortify ourselves for what’s ahead,” she said.

  He nuzzled her neck. “Let’s shower together first.”

  The phone was ringing when they got inside. It was Austin, again. “Hey, honey. How’re you?”

  “I miss you, Mom.”

  “I miss you, too.” She didn’t want to put words in his mouth, so she didn’t ask questions, but waited for him to speak. When he didn’t, she asked, “How’s the weather? I hear San Diego is perfect this time of year.”