Last Chance Cowboy

by Cathy McDavid

  “It’s okay, Isa,” she said good-naturedly. “You can stay with me. We’ll go riding. And afterward, you can help me clean stalls.”

  Isa was appeased, judging by her happy smile.

  Sage wasn’t. “Okay. But not without adult supervision.”

  “My dad will watch them,” he offered.

  “Grandpa?” Cassie’s mouth fell open.

  “I’ll ask him.” It wasn’t easy getting his father out of the house, but he had a soft spot for Cassie who, Gavin suspected, reminded him of Sierra.

  “Fifteen minutes!” Ethan hollered from where he stood at the entrance to the stable. “Fifteen minutes!”

  “We’d better hurry and saddle up.”

  They joined the group just in the nick of time. Gavin hoped Ethan remembered to bring their picnic dinner. If not, Isa’s cookie might be all he got to eat until they returned.

  Duty dictated he check on all the riders, not just Sage, and there were quite a few of them. Thirty-four, he determined after a quick head count. This was their largest monthly ride yet.

  For the first time since he and his family had decided to turn what was left of their ranch into a riding stables, Gavin dared to believe he might actually carve out a decent life for himself and Cassie.

  Once he had ownership of the mustang, that was.

  The riders went mostly single file through the gate leading from the back pasture to the trailhead. Ethan rode in front, Conner in the middle and Gavin brought up the rear. Just as he was dismounting to shut the gate after the last rider, he noticed Sage.

  Avaro was acting up again. Worse than earlier in the day. Ears pinned back, she bared her teeth at the horse beside her and threatened to kick the one behind her. Sage did a prompt and thorough job of removing Avaro a safe distance away. Holding the mare in position, she waited for Gavin.

  “It might be best if I rode with you.”

  He was happy to oblige.

  Spotting a fresh wound on Avaro’s neck near her shoulder, he asked, “What happened there?”

  “I think she got in a fight with her neighbor in the next stall. One I’m sure she started and that won’t be her last.” Sage sighed wearily.

  Some mares were unbothered when they came into heat. Others, like Avaro, became cranky and aggressive.

  “We have a small pen near the pasture. We could put her in there if you want.”

  Sage considered his suggestion, then shook her head. “She doesn’t like to be alone. And she’s something of an escape artist. Twice, when I’ve put her by herself, she’s jumped the fence in order to be with other horses.”

  No small feat considering her compact stature.

  “Why don’t we put her in with the mares? They’re less likely to agitate her than the geldings in the stables.”

  They’d reached the branch of the trail that would take them into the mountains.

  “Do you mind? I don’t think she’ll bother the mares or foals.”

  Gavin agreed. Avaro was hardly paying any attention to Shasta.

  “If it doesn’t work, we can always put her back in a stall.”

  “Thank you.” Sage’s expression had gone soft again.

  It was fast becoming Gavin’s favorite one.

  “About…the kiss.”

  He smiled. “You really are going to talk about it.”

  “Don’t you think we should?”

  “Tomorrow. When we return from capturing the mustang.”

  “Or tonight when we get back from the ride.”

  She drove a hard bargain.

  Gavin was about to tell her as much when his cell phone rang. Reception was iffy out here so he reined Shasta to a stop. Sage also stopped, her glance traveling ahead to the riders stretched out in front of them. Isa and old Chico were plodding along. Cassie rode directly behind them, chatting with another girl. All was well.

  Removing his phone from his pocket, he checked the display. All was evidently not well. His glance cut to Sage, then he flipped the phone open.

  “Hello, Dan.”

  She sat straighter in the saddle, her lips compressed to a thin line.

  “Is it true?” Dan demanded. “Are Sage and Isa on the trail ride with you?”

  “Yes.” Gavin didn’t tell Dan exactly how close Sage was to him.

  Dan swore in Spanish. “I agreed not to go on the roundup when you asked me. Nothing was ever said about them participating in ranch activities.”

  One of his clients must have mentioned the woman from the BLM. There’d been quite a stir about Sage and the mustang the past few days.

  “It’s no big deal,” Gavin explained patiently. “When we got back from the mountains today, I invited them on the trail ride. Simply being hospitable.”

  “I don’t want that bitch and her kid anywhere near that ranch unless it’s to go after the mustang, you hear me?”

  There was much in what Dan said that infuriated Gavin, starting with calling Sage a derogatory name and ending with the barely concealed threat.

  “We’ll talk tomorrow.” Unable to continue the conversation, he disconnected and pocketed his phone.

  “Like I said—” Sage gathered her reins “—kissing was a mistake.” Nudging her mare into a walk, she set out after the others.

  It wasn’t, Gavin thought, following at a much slower pace.

  But his choice of business partners was sure starting to look like one.

  GAVIN PERCHED ON A ROCK at the outskirts of the circle, eating the cookie Isa had given him. Everywhere he looked, horses were tethered to bushes and low hanging branches. This spot was one the group often chose for their picnics because of the ample level ground and breathtaking view.

  The sun was at that moment slipping behind Pinnacle Peak. From where he sat, the top of the peak glowed a brilliant russet as if a fire burned within its core. Gavin had witnessed this eye-popping spectacle many times, but it never failed to amaze and inspire him.

  Ethan limped over and claimed the rock next to Gavin’s. The past few days had been hard on him. Fortunately, he was physically fit, thanks to the Marines and years playing sports and rodeoing before that.

  Though his brother would be the last to complain, Gavin wasn’t fooled. Ethan hurt and should probably see his doctor. Gavin kept his mouth shut, however. Experience had taught him his brother would go when he was damn good and ready.

  “What time are we heading out tomorrow?” he asked, passing Gavin a bottled water.

  “Between noon and one,” he answered. “Sage has some business to take care of in the morning.”

  Ethan rubbed his knee where the prosthetic leg was attached. “Okay. But we have to get back at a halfway decent hour.”

  “You have plans?”

  “I do.”

  His brother’s mysterious comings and goings were increasing in frequency. “How soon until you’re ready to tell me what it is you’re up to?”

  “Soon.”

  Gavin respected his brother’s privacy, but he was also worried. “Be careful.”

  “I am.” Ethan’s gaze darted to Sage, who was chatting with a middle-aged couple. Nearby, Cassie supervised as children took turns playing with Blue. “I take it you and Sage are getting along better.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “I noticed you earlier at her truck. Looked to me like you were well on the way to resolving your differences.”

  “How much did you see?”

  “Enough.”

  “She was upset. Dan’s been giving her grief.”

  Ethan took a long swig of his water. “You sure you want to get involved with her? Dan’s our financial backing. They may not be together anymore, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be okay with you dating her.”

  “We’re not going to date.”

  “Then explain the kiss.”

  “It was an accident.”

  “I don’t think he’ll be any less angry with you just because your mouth accidentally collided with hers.”

  Et
han was right. “Dan called me when we were riding out. He’s furious that Sage and Isa came along on the ride.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “Not let things get out of hand.”

  “Is that possible?”

  “It’s what Sage wants.”

  “I’m not hearing a lot of conviction in your voice.”

  His brother could always read him better than anyone else.

  “Even if we weren’t counting on Dan’s money, I’d still steer clear of Sage.”

  “Why?”

  “She lives in Show Low for starters,” Gavin said quietly. His family, he knew, was frequently the topic of conversation with their customers despite his efforts to keep their private life just that.

  “She can move.”

  “Her job is there.”

  “She can find a new one. Or transfer.”

  “I’m not in a position to date.”

  “Because of Cassie?”

  “Partly.”

  Ethan snorted dismissively. “I’m pretty sure Sage likes kids.”

  “I have nothing to offer a woman. Financially,” he clarified when Ethan started to object.

  “How do you know money’s important to her?”

  “It’s important to me.” Gavin was a holdover from the dark ages, according to some people, but he’d been raised to believe a man should provide for his wife and children.

  “There’s another solution,” Ethan said contemplatively, “if you really care for her.”

  Gavin’s curiosity got the better of him. “What?”

  “Sell the ranch.”

  He could tell by Ethan’s grave expression, this was no joke. “Forget it.”

  “Before you get bent out of shape, listen to me.” Ethan leaned forward, his elbows propped on his thighs, the empty bottle of water dangling between his legs. “Dad has no interest in the ranch anymore. Neither does Sierra. I’m only here because you need help.”

  Was that true? Gavin had always assumed Ethan’s love for their family’s home ran as deep as his.

  “I don’t have the authority to sell the ranch. It’s in all of our names.” Their father had deeded the remaining property equally to Gavin, Ethan and Sierra a year after their mother had died.

  “I’d sign off if you want to sell,” Ethan answered. “And I’m pretty sure Sierra would, too.”

  “No.”

  “I’m just saying, if you ever wanted to move. Like to Show Low.”

  “No,” Gavin answered more emphatically. He’d buy out his brother and sister before selling the ranch. Maybe that was what they secretly wanted. “Are you tired of working with me?”

  Ethan shrugged. “It’s not like I’m doing anything else. Or can do anything else.” He chuckled mirthlessly. “Not much call for one-legged bull riders or police officers.” Those were the two professions Ethan had considered before joining the Marines. “It occurred to me, if we sold the ranch, maybe we could all start fresh.”

  What Gavin heard was “quit fighting a losing battle.”

  “I don’t want to sell the ranch,” he said. “Not yet. If the stud and breeding business tanks, then maybe I’ll…” The words stuck in his throat. Gnashing his teeth together, he forced them out. “Think about it.”

  “First things first.” Ethan clapped Gavin on the back and rose. “Gotta capture the mustang.”

  Gavin also rose. Evening was falling fast, and it was well past time to head back. “All the more reason to keep things professional with Sage.”

  Except it wouldn’t be easy. As he walked the picnic area, supervising the cleanup and helping the younger riders onto their horses, he couldn’t keep his eyes off her or his mind from reliving their kiss.

  Chapter Nine

  Ten minutes into the return ride, Avaro started acting up again. After she bit yet another horse, Sage removed them from the line and waited until all the riders had gone ahead. Then, like before, fell into place beside Gavin.

  Being with Shasta made little difference. Avaro pranced and fought the bit until sweat broke out on her neck and foam gathered at her mouth.

  “I don’t understand,” Sage complained to Gavin. “She wants to be with the other horses, then kicks and bites them.”

  “It doesn’t help that we have two stallions at the ranch.”

  “Probably not.” Sage tugged on the reins. “I can’t wait to get home.”

  “I’m sorry your trip isn’t turning out the way you hoped it would.”

  “It’s not your fault.”

  “You sure? You’ve been mad at me more than once.”

  She hadn’t been mad earlier when they were kissing. Maybe at Isa for interrupting them.

  “Dan’s insisting on a paternity test. He’s suddenly decided Isa may not be his.”

  “Is that what upset you?”

  “I told her about the test on the way here.”

  “That must have been hard.”

  “It was awful. There’s no chance the test won’t come back positive. I’m just furious at Dan for putting us through it.”

  Avaro chose that moment to rear on her hind legs and thrash out with her front ones.

  Fortunately, no other riders were nearby, except for Gavin who acted quickly and turned Shasta away.

  Sage was mortified. And annoyed. Mostly at herself. She should have known better than to bring Avaro on a ride when the horse was in heat.

  “There’s another trail going back to the ranch,” Gavin suggested when Sage once again had control of the horse—temporarily, she was sure. “We can take it if you want.”

  “Good idea.”

  “The trail’s a little rough,” he warned. “And it’ll be dark soon.”

  “I can handle it.”

  He nodded. “Wait here for me. I’ll tell Ethan.”

  “Can Cassie watch Isa? I hate to impose—”

  “She won’t mind.” Gavin nudged Shasta into a trot.

  “Tell her I’ll pay,” Sage hollered after him.

  Avaro immediately started to prance in place and whinny. At one point, Sage noticed something moving from the corner of her eye. She scanned the eastern rise. A dark shape moved along the rocky ledge. In the next instant, Avaro distracted Sage by tugging hard on the reins. When Sage next looked at the rise, whatever was there, if there’d been anything at all, was gone.

  Shadows, she told herself. The last smoky rays of daylight dancing across the mountains.

  Gavin returned, and Avaro promptly quieted.

  Soon, they came upon a narrow trail Sage hadn’t noticed before. It was, as Gavin had informed her, steep and rough.

  At the bottom, the ground gave way, probably washed out from a recent flash flood. Gavin’s mare cleared the ditch effortlessly, landing solidly on the other side. He turned around and waited for Sage.

  Avaro balked. Dropping her head, she snorted at the ditch, which was easily four feet wide and two feet deep, then pawed the earth with her right front foot, dislodging chunks of dirt and small rocks.

  “Come on, girl,” Sage soothed, increasing the pressure of her calves. “You can do it.”

  Avaro disagreed and tried backing. Not an easy feat with her head considerably lower than her hind quarters.

  “No, no.” Sage prodded her forward to the edge and clucked her tongue.

  All at once, Avaro launched herself in the air and popped over the ditch. As she hit the other side, she stumbled and nearly went down. Sage hung on. Barely. For several seconds, her surroundings were a blur. Then, thankfully, everything righted itself.

  “You okay?” Gavin was on the ground, hurrying toward her, his horse’s reins hanging loose.

  “Yeah. I’m fine.” She didn’t mention her heart, which was beating a hundred miles an hour. “How’s Avaro?”

  The mare’s legs trembled violently. It could be aftershock. Or worse. For all their great size, horses were delicate creatures and easily injured.

  “See if she’ll walk,” Gavin instructed.


  Sage gave Avaro her head. The mare obediently took one step. When it came to putting her other foot down, she resisted. Worried, Sage climbed off. Gavin was already beside the horse, squatting down to examine the suspect leg.

  Sage stood behind him, watching over his shoulder as he ran his hand over Avaro’s knee and down to her fetlock. When he finished, he stood and lifted her hoof, examining the underside.

  “What do you think?” Sage asked.

  “Hard to tell. I don’t see a rock stuck in her shoe, and she doesn’t appear to have any tenderness. Could just be residual pain. She landed pretty hard.”

  “Tell me about it.” Sage was feeling her own residual pain.

  “See if she’ll walk now.” Gavin straightened.

  And just like that, they were as close as they’d been when they kissed earlier.

  Gavin was thinking the same thing, Sage could see it in his eyes.

  Funny, after all her talk about maintaining a strictly professional relationship, what she wanted most to do was press her lips to that very stubborn, very delectable mouth of his.

  She bolstered her resolve…for all the good it did her. Avaro rubbed her head against Sage’s arm, momentarily unbalancing her. Gavin came to her rescue by placing a hand on her shoulder and steadying her.

  He had great hands. Strong, yet gentle. Sensitive and confident. Whether he was checking a horse for injuries or leading her away from a potentially awkward situation with Dan.

  “Steady now,” he murmured.

  “I’m, uh, good. F-fine, really.” Stammering? She didn’t stammer.

  “You sure?”

  All right, already, her mind screamed. Either kiss me or let me go.

  Making the choice for him, she lifted her face and raised her arms.

  Gavin abruptly stepped back, his hand falling to his side.

  Sage’s cheeks burned. She covered her blunder by mounting Avaro. “Come on, girl.”

  Gavin also mounted, though he didn’t immediately move or speak.

  She was about to make a snappy comment, one she hoped would cover her embarrassment at being rejected after practically throwing herself at him, when she followed Gavin’s gaze to a trio of riders approaching from the opposite direction.

  Avaro stared at them, ready to spring into action, every muscle in her body tense.