“Will you follow me to the barn, or do I have to find a rope and haul you by the neck?” Not trusting him, she began walking backwards toward the barn. The goat trotted behind her but didn’t seem inclined to ram her. She glanced at her watch.
“It’s getting time to put the horses in their stalls. Do you want to help?” Grabbing a lead rope from a hook on the wall, she headed to the pasture. One by one, she led the horses to the barn and got them into their stalls without incident. Houdini stayed by her side and prodded the horses along if they gave Jordan any resistance. He stuck by her as she shook grain into the bowls, filled water buckets, and stuffed hay into the feeders.
“I guess you’re not such a bad little guy after all,” she told him when the job was done. She tentatively scratched the coarse hair on his back. His eyes closed and she scratched harder. “Guess you needed to learn who was boss around here. And I had to show you.” She offered him a piece of peppermint candy she had stowed in her pocket.
Houdini crunched down on the candy and thanked her with a friendly “Maaaaa.”
“You’re welcome. Now it’s time for both of us to call it a day. In you go.” She opened the gate to Buttercup’s stall. Houdini walked in obediently and started munching on hay without so much as a nasty grunt.
“What do you know about that?” Jordan mused aloud. “I should have whacked you the first day you horned me.” She closed and latched the gate and stroked Buttercup’s velvety smooth nose through the bars. “You sure are a sweet mare. I can see why Houdini is head over heels. I just might have to keep you as my own.”
Hearing tires and gravel kicking up from the drive, she switched off the barn lights and stepped outside. Wyatt tooted his horn and rolled to a stop.
“Hi,” she said, strolling to the driver’s window.
“Hi. Thought I’d come switch those trailer tires before the sun goes down.”
“You made it just in time.” She gazed into the sky. The fiery ball of sun was slowly sinking into the horizon. Noticing his swollen cut lip, she exclaimed, “What on earth happened to you?”
“Ah, nothin’.” He pushed open the door and got out.
“It looks like something to me.”
“I ran into a door. That’s all. I’m a clumsy oaf.” He hauled his toolbox from the back of the pickup. “Want to watch?” he asked, changing the subject.
“Sure.” She knew he hadn’t run into a door, but she also knew better than to press. They strode to the tack room to get the two good tires he’d seen stored in there earlier. With each of them rolling a tire along the ground, she followed him to the back of the barn. Wyatt got to work on removing the flats.
“You got the horses in the barn by yourself?” he asked, glancing at the empty field.
Jordan beamed. “Yes. First time. No problems. Are you proud of me?”
“I sure am. I had a feeling you’d be a quick learner.”
“I’m becoming more comfortable interacting with them, and I’m growing closer to Buttercup. She’s so beautiful and has such a sweet, calm personality. I’m thinking of keeping her.”
“That’s a good idea. You wouldn’t be sorry. I can teach you to ride, if you’d like.”
“I’d love that! Guess what?” She could barely contain her enthusiasm.
“What?” He pulled one of the flats off with a grunt and rolled it to the side.
Jordan’s mouth pulled into a smile. “I taught that goat to respect me.”
“How’d you do that?”
“This is what happened.” She set the scene and explained her unorthodox technique for teaching Houdini a lesson. Wyatt belly laughed until tears ran down his face and he had to wipe at them with a hankie pulled from his back jeans pocket. She loved to hear him laugh. Sitting cross-legged on the ground, she watched him remove the second flat and replace both tires. When he was done, he took that same hankie and wiped his hands with it.
“There. You’re all set for our excursion tomorrow.”
“That didn’t take you long. Thanks, Brannigan.”
He got to his feet and held out his hand. When she placed her palm in his, his touch was electrifying. She felt like a feather when he pulled her off the ground. With their fingers entwined and his toolbox in the other hand, they walked side-by-side to his truck. He dumped the box in the bed and stared at her.
“Do you like beef stew?” she blurted.
“It’s one of my favorites.”
“Would you like to stay for dinner?”
He laid a hand on the back of her neck. “I thought you were never gonna ask.”
Throughout the meal, he told her stories about growing up in Montana that kept her in stitches, and she talked about her childhood in Colorado. Later, while they were sitting on the sofa enjoying coffee, she finally told him about the box she’d found that afternoon. She collected it from the bedroom dresser and let him look through the scrapbook and photo album. He fingered the packet of letters tied with ribbon. Seemingly enthralled, he listened attentively as Jordan explained that Lydia was not her aunt at all, but her biological grandmother.
“Now I understand why she left the Lucky Seven to me,” she ended.
Wyatt shook his head thoughtfully. “That blows my mind. To think, all those years she kept that big secret to herself. Poor Lydia. It must have been gut wrenching. And you say she was a nurse during the war? I guess that’s where her compassion for sick and injured horses came from.”
Feeling somewhat melancholy, Jordan hung her head. “I’m sorry she and I never got the chance to know one another. From what you’ve told me, she was so different from my Grandma Laura. I wish I could thank her for all this. I’m so grateful.”
Wyatt covered her hand with his. “She probably knows, honey.” He tipped her chin up with his finger and drew in close. When his lips touched hers for the first time, a flame ignited and heat sizzled through her veins. Her heart drummed inside her chest so loud she was sure he could hear it. As he seared her with a long, passionate kiss, all the fears of betrayal and distrust she’d been carrying on her shoulders melted like snow on a hot tin roof. When their mouths parted, she whispered, “Don’t stop.”
Then he yawned. She frowned. He smiled and sifted his hand through her hair. “There’s a lot more where that came from, Jordan, but not tonight. Good things come to those who wait.” He gently palmed her cheek before rising from the sofa. Then he grasped her hand and pulled her with him to the door.
“Thanks for dinner and for the conversation. I’m glad you trusted me enough to share the story about Lydia.”
Jordan couldn’t find her voice. She reeled from his hot kiss. Gazing into his green eyes, she felt transfixed in the timeless moment.
“Good night,” he said, opening the door. “See you in the morning.” With a final squeeze, he slid his hand out from hers and strode down the walk.
When the truck door slammed shut, she leaned against the doorframe and waved. In a daze, she watched his taillights disappear. After locking the door, she changed clothes and climbed into the squeaky bed. Turning her face to the clean, but bare window, for the new curtains still had not been hung, she lay captivated by the magical moment. The full, pale moon hung outside the window like the round face of a ghost. With the darkness came quiet, and with the quiet would come sweet, sweet dreams—dreams of Wyatt and his lingering kiss, a healing balm for the gaping wound her heart had been until now.
Chapter Fifteen
Jordan had just released all the horses except Buttercup into the field when Cole drove in the next morning. She turned the corner and saw him jump out of his pickup, pull down the tailgate, and unload a jackhammer.
“Morning, Cole.” She walked toward him, leading the mare. Houdini trotted alongside her and the horse like a loyal dog.
“Mornin’.” Taking a double look, he said, “You look real nice today.”
“Thank you.” She was dressed in a yellow tank top, blue jeans, and she’d left her hair down. Feeling as light as air,
she’d slept well, had dreamt of Wyatt, and couldn’t wait to see him.
“How you doing?” Cole asked the goat, who waddled next to Jordan.
“Maaaaa.”
Pulling a peppermint from her pocket, Jordan slipped the goat a treat. “You’re not going to escape today, are you, Houdini? You’re going to be a good boy and stay in the field with your girlfriend while I’m gone. Right?” After he crunched the candy to bits, he wagged his stubby tail and bleated for more candy.
“No more.” She rubbed the patch of hair in between Houdini’s horns.
“You’re spoiling that rascal,” Cole noted.
“He and I have come to an understanding. He’s growing on me and I on him. Let me put these two in the pasture and I’ll be right back.” When she returned to the front yard, she saw Cole had dragged the bulky jackhammer to the yard.
“Looks like you’re ready to do some serious damage to that concrete.”
“I expect I’ll have a new sidewalk poured by the time you get back this afternoon. If I have time, I plan on patching the cracks in the exterior walls of the house, too.”
She shook her head. “That’s a full day’s work. Don’t you have anything else to do today?”
“Nothing so important it couldn’t be put on hold.”
“You should be relaxing and watching sports on TV or doing something fun with a friend.” She knew she was sounding like a mother hen, but she felt bad.
“I don’t mind. When I set a goal, I throw myself into it one hundred percent until it’s accomplished. It’s just the way I am.”
“Mmmm. Maybe that’s why you’re still single,” she teased. “You should try working less and playing more.”
He didn’t respond, and she wondered if his heart was still bruised from her rejection. She really didn’t think so, but his puppy-dog expression tugged at her heartstrings anyway. “On second thought, you can play all you want after you’re done with my place,” she joked again.
“Of course. Tony and Bobby will start rebuilding the new courtyard wall on Monday. They’re fast and good. It won’t take them long to put up three walls. They’ll install the new gate and then I’ll put in the patio pavers and get the landscaper here.”
Jordan clapped her hands like an excited child. “It’s going to be wonderful. I can’t wait to sit out there in the mornings with my coffee and newspaper, gazing out at the mountains and the desert. I can’t think of anything more relaxing.”
“Excuse me while get this jackhammer set up.” Cole was clearly anxious to begin, so she retreated into the house. She was glad they’d gotten things cleared up between them. Now they were free to be friends without the emotions that came with playing head games or the complications that went along with casual sex. She sure was glad she’d restrained herself when he came onto her that night. When he’d kissed her, she’d realized physical attraction was all there’d been between them. She hadn’t felt that deep sense of connection with Cole that she longed for in a relationship. With Wyatt, that heart-to-soul bond was there. She wasn’t entirely sure what it was about the man, but he’d done something to her. Twenty-four seven, he invaded her waking and sleeping moments. Lost in her reverie, she didn’t realize he’d arrived until Cole shouted, “Your ride is here!”
Jordan flung the door open and sailed out to meet Wyatt. There was a bounce in her step she couldn’t ever remember having before. Seeing him dressed in starched jeans, a deep green shirt that brought out the sparkle in his eyes, and a leather belt with a large silver and turquoise buckle caused her heart to skip a beat. He was more handsome than any man she’d seen on the covers of GQ.
“Good morning, Brannigan.”
“Good mornin’, Jordan.” His eyes lit up, and he unabashedly checked her from head to toe. He whistled. “I swear. You’re as pretty as a sunflower on a summer’s day.”
“Thank you. You look handsome yourself.” Her gaze landed on his mouth, remembering his fiery kiss but also wondering how the cut lip felt. It hadn’t seemed to bother him any last night. “How’s your lip?”
“Ah, I’m fine. See?” He stuck it out so she could see the swelling had gone down.
“Is that a new hat you’re wearing?” A clean brown Stetson was perched on his head. He tapped it with a finger.
“It’s not new. Just one I wear on special occasions.”
“What’s the special occasion?”
“A day with you.”
She elbowed him. “You’re as charming as a snake handler.”
“That’s a funny compliment, but I’ll take any I can get.” Their gazes latched and Jordan felt longing stir. Wyatt broke the gaze and glanced at Cole. “I see your contractor is here bright and early.”
“He wants to get that sidewalk finished today if he can.”
“He must be trying to break a record. If it were me, I’d go slow—take my time, so I could hang around you as much as possible.”
She grinned again. “Are you trying to sweep me off my feet, or does it come naturally?”
“Either way, is it working?”
“More than you know.” His eyebrows wiggled, causing her to giggle. “Let me grab my purse and I’ll be ready to go.”
When she returned with her purse slung over her shoulder, Wyatt and Cole were chatting. “Cole, I’m leaving the house unlocked so you can help yourself to iced tea and sandwich fixings in the fridge if you get hungry. If I’m not back before you leave, will you lock up for me? Here’s an extra key for you to keep while the remodel is being done. I meant to give it to you before, but I forgot.”
“I’ll be glad to lock up.” He accepted the key and slipped it in his shirt pocket, and then put on protective goggles and positioned the jackhammer. Jordan and Wyatt took that as a hint to leave him to his work. They jumped into the truck and Wyatt drove it to the back of the barn.
“I’m not sure I like him having your house key,” he said.
Jordan knew he was teasing, even though there was a note of seriousness in his tone. “There’s nothing to worry about,” she assured. “We’re only friends.” She emphasized that last work to get her point across.
After he hooked up the horse trailer, they were off. It was close to twenty miles to where the anonymous caller had said the horse would be. As they left the Tularosa town limits, Jordan made another attempt to show him she didn’t expect free handouts.
“I want to reimburse you for your gas, Brannigan.”
He acted like he didn’t hear. “I sure like you in that yellow. The color compliments your hazel eyes and auburn hair.”
“Don’t try to change the subject,” she warned playfully. “Every day you help me out in some way. You’ve got to let me pay you somehow.”
A sly gaze slid her way. “I’ve told you before. Spending time with you is all the payment I need.”
She bit back a smile and watched the landscape breeze past the window.
His hand snaked over and grabbed hers. “I thought of you when I went to bed last night. I could still taste your kiss on my lips. I hardly slept a wink all night.” His eyes clouded with passion, and her heart drummed in her ears.
“Me either,” she confessed.
“Good. I was sure hoping it wasn’t one-sided.”
~ * ~
Hidden amid a stand of pine trees on the edge of the meadow crouched Joe Campbell and Cimarron Cruz. A half dozen cigarette butts lay squashed on the ground at their feet. Campbell’s red pickup was parked in a thicket, out of sight, about thirty feet away. Cruz clutched a rope and held a roll of duct tape in his hands. Campbell ran his finger along the flat side of a glinting steel hunting knife. Both had their eyes peeled on the meadow and the dirt road running alongside it. When Joe saw the truck pull up and park, he slapped Cimarron in the chest.
“She’s here. Get ready.” The two watched with nervous anticipation, ready to make their move as soon as the truck door swung open. Cimarron suddenly did a little dance and grabbed at his crotch.
“What�
�s wrong with you?” Joe hissed, shooting him a confounded look.
“Bad nerves. I have to take a piss.”
“Tough shit. Hold it. She’s getting out now. Get ready to run.” The two rose from their squatting positions, careful not to make any noise.
“Wait a minute. She’s getting out of the passenger side,” Joe whispered. “Who the hell’s driving the truck?” When Wyatt stepped out of the driver’s side, Joe let loose some swear words that would have made a sailor blush. “What the hell is that old dog doing with her? She was supposed to come alone.”
“Mr. Stillwell said Wyatt Brannigan’s sticking his nose into her business,” Cimarron replied, his leg jumping.
“Dammit! We can’t take both of them.”
“Mr. Stillwell’s not going to be happy if we come back empty handed,” Cimarron said.
“No shit, Sherlock.” Joe jerked off his hat and scratched his head. “Looks like we move to Plan B.”
“Does that mean I can take a whiz now?” Cimarron whined. Joe gave him a baleful glower.
Jordan and Wyatt walked through the tall meadow grass with their hands shading their eyes from the blistering sun.
“I don’t see a horse anywhere,” she said, glancing around. “I’m confused. The caller said the gelding was so weak he couldn’t walk. He said the horse was near the road. Do you think we’re in the right place?”
“We’re in the right place,” Wyatt said evenly. He had a bad feeling.
Jordan chattered on. “Maybe the horse died already. Let’s go deeper into the field to see if he’s lying hidden in the grass.” She took one step forward and he grabbed her arm.
“Don’t move,” he whispered.
“What’s wrong? What do you hear?” She followed his gaze into the thicket of trees. “Brannigan? Do you see the horse?”
“Shhhh.” His voice dropped even lower. “I don’t think there’s a horse, Jordan.” He tugged at her arm gently. “I believe you’ve been duped. Go back to the truck.”
“What?” She stared at him, obviously perplexed.
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