Sweet-Talking Cowboy

by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Stephanie Bond

  “I can get Lucky to come to me.” She called his name. “Hey, big boy, come back over here.”

  Lucky paused and glanced back at her.

  “Lucky! Over here, big guy. We’re going riding, you and me. It’ll be like old times.”

  “Good, here he comes. I’m better off going after Thunder on him than on foot.” He reached for the gelding’s bridle. “Hey, Lucky, thanks for coming back, buddy.” He glanced back at her. “See you in a minute.”

  Swinging into the saddle, he rode in a wide arc and intercepted the stallion’s progress. A little dodging and weaving ensued, but he finally got a grip on Thunder’s bridle and led him back to where she stood.

  She glanced up with a smile. “Shall we go for our ride, now?”

  “God, yes.” He kept his hold on Thunder’s bridle as he dismounted. “That was way more complicated than it was supposed to be.” He gazed at her. “How long do you think we’ll be like this?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I mean, it’s ridiculous. I can’t seem to focus on anything but making love to you.”

  “Would you say I’m your kryptonite?”

  He nodded. “Perfect description.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Matt waited for Lucy to mount up before he climbed back on Thunder. “Which trail do you want to take?”

  “The meadow trail, if it’s passable.”

  “It is. Jake and Rafe took some folks out there yesterday afternoon. They said it was fine.”

  “Good. That was always my favorite because it’s wide enough to ride next to each other. We can talk.”

  “I’ve always liked that trail the best, too.” He clucked to Thunder. “Off we go.”

  “You liked being able to talk to me?”

  “Lucy, I liked everything about you. I still do.”

  “I guess… I’m still processing that.”

  “Even after last night?”

  “When you turned me down, I spent six years convincing myself that I’d misread you, that you were only being nice to a guest and had no romantic thoughts about me. That kind of conditioning doesn’t go away overnight.”

  He sighed. “I suppose not. I hate that I had that effect on you.”

  “You know what? I’m not bringing it up anymore. Let’s look forward instead of back.”

  “Sure.” Except when he looked forward, he saw Lucy walking away. So he’d stick with the present. “I’ll get the gate.” He rode up to the fence line that separated ranch property from state-owned multi-use land.

  “At breakfast this morning Henri told me she left a professorship to marry Charley.”

  “Not many know that.” He unlatched the metal access gate and motioned her through.

  “Now that I do, I’m not surprised. It rounds out my picture of Henri.”

  “She’s amazing, all right.” He followed her and turned back to close the gate. “While I was standing around in a daze, she latched right onto your promo suggestion.”

  “You were in a daze because you’d had no sleep. Which reminds me. Have you slept today?”

  “Yes, ma’am. And later, when we’re not in charge of a couple of horses, we can compare dreams.”

  “Right. No zoning out while we’re aboard twelve-hundred-pound animals. Years ago you impressed that upon me.”

  He winced. “And then I let Thunder wander off. Some role model I am.”

  “You’re probably still sleep-deprived. How many hours did you get?”

  “About four. How about you?” He evaluated the trail ahead. A few slushy parts, but relatively clear.

  “I slept for nearly five.”

  “You skipped lunch?”

  “I needed sleep more.”

  “Good thing I brought you snacks.”

  “Peanut butter and crackers?” Her eyes sparkled.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “How did you have time to make that?”

  “I didn’t. The minute you texted back that you wanted to go, I called on Jake’s good nature. He made ’em while I saddled the horses. Want some?”

  “You bet I do. This takes me right back to those long summer rides we went on. Do you have them handy?”

  He dug in his jacket pocket and handed her a canvas zippered bag.

  “They’re even in the same bag.” She opened it and took out a cracker and peanut butter mini-sandwich.

  “Not the same bag from years ago. We’ve ordered replacements since then, but Jake’s fond of those bags and the company’s still around.”

  “I love that about the Buckskin. Things stay the same.” She bit into the cracker. “Mm.”

  “They don’t stay exactly the same.”

  She chewed and swallowed. “Yeah. Charley’s gone.”

  “And Seth’s moved to Eagles Nest.”

  “And Kate is the cook. I’m sad about Seth’s mom, but Kate seems to be doing a great job. I like her.”

  “Everybody does. Henri has a gift for finding the right people. Oh, and I talked to her about making high resolution copies of the drawing. She has someone who can do that for us, but you need to contact them to authorize it.”

  “I’ll call when we get back. The rights to the image are exclusive to you, though. If someone wants it, they must go through you. That’s the beauty of it.”

  “I can see the value. And I’m grateful.”

  “Hey, it’s fun for me. You know how much I love sketching.” She glanced around. “Inspiration is everywhere. The mountains, the forest, these two horses picking their way through the small drifts.” She glanced at him. “You with your collar turned up. I’ve never seen you bundled up like this.”

  “I’ve never seen you bundled up, either.” Or naked, flushed and glowing from his kisses. He’d never tire of looking at her. He’d make the most of this week.

  “We used to canter over this meadow, but it doesn’t seem like a good idea now.”

  “We’d get soaked and there’s no telling what’s under the snow. Come back this summer and we’ll do it again.”

  She gazed at him. “I was thinking I’d show up earlier, like spring.”

  “Good choice. If it’s late spring, the apple trees will be in bloom.” Such a casual conversation. As if her coming and going was of no real consequence, when it was everything.

  “Will you stay with me again tonight?”

  He sucked in a breath. “If you want that.”

  “You know I do. But it’s only fair to warn you that Henri’s concerned that our relationship might turn into a crisis.”

  “It won’t.”

  “I don’t think so, either, but… I’ll admit I didn’t expect this level of intensity.”

  “Maybe in another night or two we’ll settle down.”

  “You’d sure think so, right? We both need sleep, especially you, the working cowboy. I’m technically on my honeymoon and have no obligations.”

  He choked on a laugh. “Is that what’s going on? We’re having honeymoon sex?”

  “Heck, no. Honeymoon sex with Kurt would never have been this good.”

  “I love that you said that.”

  “It’s true! At the risk of giving you an ego the size of Mount Everest, he couldn’t hold a candle to you.”

  He laughed. “I’ll take it. And I’m going to work in a power nap before I go down to feed. I have my rep to consider.”

  “Do those power naps work?”

  “We’ll see, won’t we? I’ll let you be the judge.”

  Matt had learned his lesson, so he hadn’t kissed Lucy goodbye at the end of the ride. One kiss from Lucy was the equivalent of four tequila shots in a row. His brain checked out.

  He’d staked his future on that stallion and he couldn’t afford to be careless.

  Before he’d left, he’d given her the phone number of the person who’d digitize the sketches. Then he’d ridden the short distance to the barn where Jake and CJ were lying in wait.

  When he arrived, they were gathering the horses from t
he pasture and tucking them into their stalls. Technically that didn’t constitute an ambush, but he knew those guys. They could make a covert operation look innocent as hell.

  He met the challenge head-on. “Isn’t this the time you usually fix dinner? I thought Rafe and Nick had this shift.”

  “They did.” Jake smiled. “But CJ and I just figured out we need one night a week off, and this is it.”

  “Who’s making dinner?”

  “Rafe and Nick.”

  “Do they know how to cook?”

  “Not really,” CJ said. “But anybody can warm up canned tomato soup and make toasted cheese sandwiches.”

  “I’m not sure about that, but okay.”

  “We’ve rounded up most of the herd,” Jake said. “When we’re done, we’ll help you with Lucky and Thunder.”

  “Thanks, but I can handle them. I’d rather have you go to the bunkhouse and check on Rafe and Nick. See how they’re coming on the soup and sandwiches.”

  CJ shook his head. “They’re sensitive about being monitored by those who know more than they do.”

  Flimsy excuse. But he understood why they wanted more info on the Lucy situation. The Brotherhood would always exist regardless of where they all ended up, but Seth’s absence left a hole. They were naturally interested in where his romance with Lucy would take him.

  He’d tied both horses to the hitching post in front of the barn and removed their tack by the time Jake and CJ joined him.

  Jake grabbed a brush from the grooming tote. “I’ll take Lucky.”

  “And I’ll assist with Thunder.” CJ picked up a second brush and handed it to Matt. “Here you go.”

  “Thanks.” He shook his head and started in on the stallion’s withers. “Might as well get this over with. The situation with Lucy is strictly temporary. She’ll go back to L.A. on Saturday and I’ll get on with my life.”

  Jake sighed. “Do you actually believe that?”

  “I do, Jake. Nothing’s changed.”

  “Oh, really?” CJ took the brush and handed him a curry comb. “That’s not how it looks from where I sit.”

  “CJ’s right. Hey, can you hand me a curry comb, bro?”

  “Oh, so now I’m supposed to assist both of you. Like I have nothing else to do.”

  “You have nothing else to do.” Jake held out his hand. “Curry comb.”

  CJ slapped one in his hand. “I’ll have you know I’m serving a very important function. I’m here in the capacity of Matt’s advisor.”

  “That’s my job,” Jake said.

  “Doesn’t hurt to get a second opinion. Here’s mine—tell Lucy you love her, then ask her to move here.” He looked at Jake. “What you got?”

  “You took the words right out of my mouth.”

  Matt combed the last tangle out of Thunder’s mane. “I can’t do that.”

  Jake leaned on Lucky’s broad back and gazed at him. “Why not?”

  “Because her job skills are useless in Apple Grove. She’s said so and I agree with her.” He handed CJ the curry comb.

  He dropped it in the tote. “Henri wants to hire her to create promo stuff for the ranch. Maybe other people would want to do that, too.”

  “Not enough people. It’s a small town. Businesses here don’t have huge marketing budgets.” He glanced at them. “She’d be bored and underpaid.”

  “She’d have you,” Jake said.

  “Yeah, she’d have the guy who convinced her to leave her exciting job in L.A. and come to a place that doesn’t fit her skillset or lifestyle. It’d be like putting Thunder in some family’s backyard as a pet for the kids.”

  Jake rubbed his chin. “But she loves to draw. I gather she doesn’t do that much in L.A., but ever since she got here she—”

  “It’s a sideline, a hobby. I predict she’ll keep doing it now that she knows I…” He looked at Jake. “Did you tell CJ what happened six years ago?”

  “Nope.”

  “She wanted to move here and be with me. I pretended I didn’t feel the same way about her. I’m pretty sure that’s when she stopped sketching.”

  “Whoa.” CJ shoved back his hat. “But you did feel the same way about her?”

  He nodded.

  “Bro, you’re in way deeper than I thought. And this is more complicated than I figured. Now I don’t know what to tell you.”

  “I don’t think we can tell him anything.” Jake picked up the grooming tote. “But here’s a promise, buddy. When this goes south, and it looks like it will, the Brotherhood will take you out and get you roaring drunk.”

  Matt smiled. “Appreciate it.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  After Matt rode away, Lucy went inside and called her folks. She’d texted them a couple of times to say she was okay and that she’d call soon. Sunday afternoon was good timing.

  She’d procrastinated because of Matt. She didn’t like keeping things from them, but how could she expect them to understand?

  Her mom answered and activated the video and speaker on her phone so her dad could be part of the conversation. A wave of homesickness washed over her when they both appeared on the screen dressed for a casual evening at home.

  “You changed your hair!” Her mother’s eyes widened. “When?”

  “Yesterday.” Had it been only yesterday? “I went to Tres Beau. Remember it?”

  “I do. Never went in, though. I like your new style.”

  “Me, too, sweetie.” Her dad adjusted his glasses. “I even like the red stuff in there. Looks cute.”

  “Thanks. I needed to do… something.”

  “Sure you did.” Her mom’s eyes filled with sympathy. “What a nasty business. Your dad wanted to punch him out, but I convinced him not to.”

  “Dad? You don’t believe in physical violence. You always—”

  “He deserved it.” Her dad’s eyes glittered with anger. “Lots of us had the same idea, but since he’s a coward as well as a cheater, he left before things got ugly. Or I should say, uglier.”

  “I hope you’re not too upset that I ran out and came here. I just… reacted.”

  Her mom smiled. “And went to your favorite place in the world. I get that. I hope you’re able to put this aside and have some fun while you’re there.”

  “I am, Mom.” Her cheeks were getting warm. She put a little more distance between her face and the phone. “Everybody’s been so nice.” One person in particular.

  “That looks like a new shirt, too. What did you do about clothes?”

  “Bought some stuff when I got here.”

  “We brought your suitcase home,” her dad said. “But we haven’t unpacked it. Do you really want the clothes donated to a charity?”

  “Yes, please. Everything but my Buckskin Ranch bathrobe. You can give away the suitcase, too. I bought it for this trip and I don’t want to think about Kurt every time I use it.”

  “I wish there was something I could do to that louse.” Her dad’s jaw tightened. “He’s lucky he lives in L.A.”

  “That’s for sure,” her mom said. “But what about your job, honey?”

  “I’ve thought about that, Mom. He’ll stay. At first I didn’t want to let him run me out, but why make myself miserable?”

  Her dad leaned closer to the screen. “Unless you can come up with a way to make him miserable. That would be fun.”

  She laughed. “I’ve never seen you this way, Dad. You think I should get revenge?”

  “Damn straight. Make the bastard suffer.”

  “They say that success is the best revenge, so I’ve decided to move to another agency. Maybe I can win a contract he was going for.”

  He nodded. “Now you’re talking. Grind him into the pavement.”

  “I’ll contact a few agencies in the morning. So how are you guys? I mean besides being furious at Kurt.”

  “We’re fine, honey.” Her mom gave her another encouraging smile. “We had a nice weekend with friends and family. We all hated what happened, but seei
ng each other was still nice.”

  “Everyone’s left?”

  “Yep. Your dad and I are enjoying the quiet, to tell the truth.”

  “That’s good.” She glanced at the time. “I need to leave for the dining hall, but I’ll call again in a couple of days to let you know how the job search is going.”

  “Please do,” her dad said. “Love you, sweetie.”

  “Love you, too, Mom and Dad.” She blew them a kiss and ended the call.

  Not many people were in the dining room. Lucy sat with a chatty couple from Chicago who were going home in the morning. The weekend rush was over.

  As she walked back to her cabin along the lighted path, her phone pinged with a text. Matt would meet her there in about twenty minutes.

  She walked faster, excitement warming her despite the bone-chilling temperature. Last night had just sort of happened. This time their rendezvous was planned. She could fold back the sheets and turn down the lights. Even get naked.

  Except that wasn’t her style. They’d been friends before they’d become lovers. Playing the seductress didn’t fit the tone of their relationship. He was already eager to make love with her.

  As she was to make love to him. Yet she was leaving on Saturday. She’d told her parents she’d start a job hunt in the morning. She’d split her life into two parts, one that included Matt and one that didn’t. Had he done that, too?

  Back in her cabin, she tucked her gloves and hat in the pockets of her jacket and hung it in the closet. She took off her boots and stuck them in there, too. Undressing in advance wasn’t her thing, but boots were a pain during a romantic interlude.

  He’d arrive in ten minutes. She walked over to the table in her sock feet, one purple and one green. Very cool that her mismatched sock routine had inspired Peggy. She hadn’t had the heart to tell her, or Matt, for that matter, that she hardly ever did it anymore.

  Her sketchpad and pencils lay where she’d left them when she’d been too sleepy to draw. Now she was too keyed up, even for a quick sketch. She flipped through the pages until she came to the one she’d done after making love to Matt for the first time.