Blazing Hot Cowboy

by Kim Redford

  When they’d made plans on the phone earlier, Kent had told her that he now lived at the farmhouse, while his parents had built a new home with all the modern conveniences and open floor plan. Yet the original home site would always have a special place in her heart. She’d played there as a child and sat on the porch swing when she was older. She vividly remembered sharing the turn of the seasons with Kent and his family. They’d made and eaten caramel apples in the fall, creamy divinity candy at Christmas, fresh peach ice cream in the spring, and deviled eggs dyed red, white, and blue then arranged on a platter in the shape of a United States flag for the Fourth of July.

  She couldn’t help but feel nostalgic for those innocent days that had seemed endless at the time. Now she knew they were fleeting from one moment to the next. If she could go back in time, she’d savor every single minute, knowing that her special world of love, laughter, and friendship was an endangered creation. And yet, as with all of life, she could only live in the present and take it as it came—one precious moment after another.

  She glanced at her daughter, strapped into a booster seat in the passenger seat of their SUV. All those years ago she couldn’t have imagined sharing her current life with Hannah. She smiled as she thought of that very morning. Hannah had awakened her with giggles and tickles. Pretty quick, they’d gotten into a tickle-fest across the bed that had left them both with big grins on their faces. That fleeting experience would last as a bright jewel in her memory forever.

  So far, she was relieved that Hannah appeared to be adjusting remarkably fast and well to her new environment. In just a day, she’d bonded with new friends and family. Right now Hannah couldn’t seem to get enough of the North Texas scenery. And yes, it was as beautiful as ever.

  A few fluffy white clouds highlighted the clear, azure sky, casting shadows across the wide plains with rolling hills that extended as far as the eye could see. Cottonwood trees grew along meandering streams while live oaks shaded black cattle. She couldn’t see the Red River below the bluff to the north, but she knew the water moved sluggishly in a winding red slash between Oklahoma and Texas as it made its way to Louisiana before turning south for the Gulf of Mexico.

  As she wound her way up to an elevated spot on the ranch, she saw the farmhouse. And sighed. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed this one special place on Earth till this very moment.

  Ancient oaks with spreading limbs trimmed upward made a canopy over the front yard, and when their leaves fully sprouted would shade the peaked roof of the house. She’d almost forgotten how the simple farmhouse had touches of Victorian gingerbread along the roofline of the octagonal room that jutted out from the front with a covered porch to one side. Three narrow posts held up the porch roof, while a simple wood railing of vertical slats enclosed the floor. A stone walkway meandered up to three stone steps that made the entrance look warm and cozy.

  When had Kent painted the front door, a barn type with eight glass panes, pale pink? She couldn’t imagine why he’d selected that color, but it made her grin in delight because it was so against a rugged, cowboy type that it was simply fun. Then again, maybe his former fiancée had decorated and he hadn’t had the heart to change her improvements to his home. She felt a little deflated at that thought, but then pushed it from her mind. No matter, the pink door contrasting with the white house and silver roof worked well for her.

  She felt her breath catch in her throat and her heart speed up when she saw Kent rise from the swing and walk to the edge of the porch. Somehow, he might still hold the key to her heart. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that fact, but she realized she might like it very much despite her past with Jeffrey.

  Kent looked good in a crisp blue cowboy shirt, faded jeans, and brown boots. He raised a hand in greeting. She waved in return before she drove around and parked on the cement drive at the side of the house beside Kent’s blue truck. She turned off the engine, glanced at Hannah, and was rewarded with a big grin.

  “I like that house.” Hannah grinned even bigger. “Is my pony inside?”

  Lauren chuckled, shaking her head. “That’s a people-house. There’s a barn in back that’s a horse-house.”

  “Yay! Let’s go see the horses.”

  “Let’s talk with Kent first.”

  Hannah turned big brown eyes on Lauren. “I like Cowboy Daddy, and I like his house.”

  “Me too.”

  Lauren chuckled in happiness as she stepped out of the SUV, leaving her handbag on the floorboard. She slipped her cell phone into the front pocket of her well-fitting jeans and smoothed down her crimson long-sleeve T-shirt before she walked around to the passenger side. She helped Hannah out of her booster seat, then watched her daughter dance impatiently in place. She proudly wore her favorite pink long-sleeve T-shirt—studded with rhinestones in the shape of a horse’s head—with blue jeans and yellow athletic shoes.

  As they rounded the corner of the house, Kent walked down the steps with his easy, long-legged stride to meet them.

  Lauren felt her heart speed up even faster this close to him. Maybe she was excited because she was back at the old home place, but she guessed the feeling had more to do with Kent than anything else.

  “Mornin’.” Kent gave them a lazy smile that revealed his dimples.

  “Hi Cowboy Daddy,” Hannah said shyly, grasping Lauren’s fingers and swinging their hands back and forth.

  “Hey there, little one,” he replied.

  “I’m not so little.”

  “That’s right,” he quickly agreed, smiling at her.

  “We’re not intruding or keeping you from work, are we?” Lauren asked even though they’d made plans earlier. She didn’t want to put anybody out just to meet her needs.

  “Remember, you’re back in Wildcat Bluff now. We take care of our own.” Kent’s hazel eyes lit with inner fire as his gaze swept over her.

  “I’m not used to small-town Texas anymore.”

  “Better get used to it. You know everybody’ll be up in your business whether you want it or not.”

  “Guess you’re right. And it’s all with the best of intentions.”

  “You know we’re like the old-time ranchers and farmers around here. We all depend on family, friends, and community to make life safe and good.” He gave her a big grin before he took a sip of coffee from his cowboy boot mug.

  “I appreciate everyone being so generous already.”

  “You’ll return the favor someday.”

  She nodded in agreement. “Fine mug you’ve got there.” She couldn’t help teasing him. “Real cute.”

  He grimaced, looked down at the mug, and shook his head. “Don’t say a word. Mom found it someplace and decided it suited me.”

  Lauren chuckled, appreciating Kent’s love for his mother. She squeezed Hannah’s hand, completely understanding the power of a mother’s love for her child. “I was going to bring your hat, but Hannah’s taken a liking to it and if you don’t mind—”

  “She can keep it as long as she likes. I’ve got plenty.”

  “Thanks. Once she has her own cowgirl hat, I’m sure she’ll be willing to let it go.”

  “No worry.”

  Hannah suddenly jerked her hand free of Lauren’s fingers and pointed at the front porch. “Look!” She ran down the stone walkway, up the steps, and flattened herself against the pink front door, arms outstretched as if caressing the door.

  Lauren exchanged a puzzled look with Kent, then glanced back at her child. “What is it?”

  “It’s the best door ever!” Hannah hollered. “We match!”

  Kent chuckled, taking hold of Lauren’s hand, entwining their fingers, and leading her up the walkway. “She’s a doll.”

  “Thanks. She can be a mess, too.”

  “That’s good. Real good,” Kent said, smiling.

  When they reached the stairs, Hannah
whipped around and flattened her body against the door with her arms outstretched again. “Mommy, will you take my picture? I bet I disappear into this door.”

  Lauren laughed as she stepped up to the porch, pulled out her phone, and snapped several quick shots.

  “Thanks!” Hannah twirled around before she bounded over to Lauren. “Let’s see.”

  Lauren held out her phone so all three of them could see Hannah in pink against pink. “You look adorable.”

  Hannah pushed back her long, blond hair and grinned at Kent. “Your door is the best.”

  “Thanks.” Kent smiled at her. “You and that door are quite the sight for sore eyes.”

  Hannah appeared puzzled, cocking her head to one side. “Do your eyes hurt?”

  Kent chuckled. “No. That’s an old-fashioned saying that means you and the door look good together.”

  She rolled her big, brown eyes, and then she nodded with a great deal of skepticism.

  Lauren couldn’t help but laugh. “You’ll be learning lots of new, colorful sayings now that we’re in Wildcat Bluff.”

  Hannah glanced from Lauren to Kent then back again as if judging if they were funning her or not.

  “She’s right. Scout’s honor.” Kent quickly held up two fingers in a Scout’s honor salute, then crossed his heart with the same two fingers.

  “Okay.” Hannah obviously lost interest. “Mommy, can we have a pink door when we get our new home?”

  “I don’t know. We’ll see.” Lauren hated to disappoint her daughter, but she never made promises she couldn’t keep.

  “You can use my pink door any time you like,” Kent said.

  Hannah grinned, revealing small, white teeth. “I like this place!”

  “I’ve always loved it here,” Lauren said wistfully. “Only I don’t remember the pink front door.”

  Kent laughed and held up his boot mug. “Goes with the mug. Not my choice, but I’m learning to live with it.”

  Lauren felt a sudden heaviness in her heart. She couldn’t imagine him letting anybody paint that door pink unless it was somebody he loved like his former fiancée. But she couldn’t let that get in the way of Hannah’s happiness—or her own, for that matter. They just needed to move forward from here.

  “A swing!” Hannah launched herself across the porch and leaped onto the swing. She lay flat on her back and kicked her legs into the air, setting the swing to rocking back and forth. “Best house in the whole, wide world!”

  When Kent put an arm around Lauren’s shoulders and pulled her close, she leaned into him just like old times.

  “Remember how we used to swing there after school?” he asked.

  “And neck—isn’t that the old-fashioned term—at night?”

  “That’s right. Only now I don’t have to get you home by ten on weeknights.” He tightened his grip on her shoulder. “You could stay all night every night.”

  Lauren shivered as chills swept through her. What would it be like to be out here on the ranch alone with Kent in his big bed as she’d imagined so many times when she was sweet sixteen? Only now there were no parents, no school, no curfews, and she knew exactly how delicious a night in his arms could be. When a wicked blaze swept through her at the thought of joining Kent under his covers, she felt her skin ignite in moist heat.

  Kent squeezed her shoulder as he pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. “Think Ruby would watch Hannah if you came out here one evening? I grill a mean steak.”

  If Lauren had been hot before, now she was on fire. It was as if he’d read her mind, or maybe he’d always imagined her in his bed out here, too.

  “Kisses!” Hannah leaped off the swing and raced over to them. She held up her face toward Kent. “I love kisses as much as I love pink doors.”

  “I love little girls more than pink doors.” Kent leaned down and gave Hannah’s cheek a gentle kiss.

  “You do?” Hannah beamed from Kent to Lauren. “Pink door. Kisses. Only thing better is a pony.”

  Lauren chuckled, shaking her head. “Incorrigible.”

  Hannah grinned, looking mischievous. “I need cowgirl boots to go with my pony. I wanted red ones to match Aunt Hedy’s, but not now. They’ve got to be pink!”

  When Kent burst out laughing, Lauren joined him.

  Hannah looked back and forth between them, appearing concerned. “You like red better?”

  Lauren laughed even harder. “I think pink is just perfect for you.” She glanced up at Kent and felt an upwelling of love like she hadn’t felt in so many years. She took a deep breath. If she wasn’t careful, she was going to lose complete control around him.

  Kent smiled at her, warmth shinning in his eyes. “Pink’s starting to be my favorite color.”

  “Good.” Hannah clapped her hands together. “Now we’ve settled on pink, let’s go get my pony.”

  Chapter 22

  “I’d invite you inside, but I think if I did we might have a mutiny on our hands.” Kent gestured toward Hannah, who was hanging over the porch railing with both hands as she tried to peer around the house toward the barn. He hoped his words didn’t sound rude, because they were the best he could come up with on the spur of the moment. His place was a mess. No telling where he’d thrown his clothes or pizza boxes or whatever. He wished he could hose out the inside like he’d hosed off his truck, but it wouldn’t be that easy. Whatever had to do with animals or business, he kept top notch, but he always let things for himself slide because he didn’t figure it made much difference. Now he might have to rethink that habit.

  Lauren nodded as she walked over to Hannah, eased her daughter back from possible danger, and turned to Kent. “Looks like you’ve been decorating. I’d love to see all the changes you’ve made inside.”

  “Pony. Pony. Pony,” Hannah chanted as she twirled around on tiptoes.

  “I’ll be happy to show you later.” Much later, if he had anything to say about it. As a distraction, he leaned forward, ready to catch Hannah if she overbalanced and started to fall. He suddenly realized he’d need to keep an eye on her near horses or anything else. “Were we that full of energy at her age?”

  Lauren chuckled, nodding. “I bet. She’ll run out of steam later. For now, we’d better just get this show on the road.”

  “Okay. While she’s still full of get-up-and-go, let’s look at the facilities.” He gestured down the stairs. “Mom and Dad moved the horses and tack to the new barn by their place. That means my barn and arena aren’t in use. Why don’t we take a look and see if they’ll suit what you have in mind.”

  “That’s generous.” Lauren frowned slightly as she looked at him. “But are you sure you don’t mind? It could be a lot of trouble.”

  “Pony. Pony. Pony.” Hannah danced down the stairs and over to the big oak tree in front. She leaned back against the trunk and crossed her arm as if impatiently waiting for them.

  Kent chuckled at the sight. “She reminds me more of you all the time.”

  Lauren smiled at her daughter. “Hannah’s fitting in quicker than I could’ve hoped for around here.”

  “Chip off the old block.” He caught Lauren’s hand and squeezed her fingers. “I talked with Mom, and she’s anxious to see you and meet Hannah.”

  “She was always great. I can’t wait to see her again, too.”

  “I’ll set something up later.” He tugged Lauren closer, feeling the heat of her body against him. “She likes your idea about horse-assisted therapy and wants to help any way she can.”

  Lauren eased away and gave him a hard stare. “You told her?”

  “I thought it best since you may be working here.”

  “But I don’t know anything yet. I mean, I don’t know if it’ll be possible, if we can get horses, if—”

  “Let’s count on everything working out just fine.” He pulled her back to him, fitting her body
to the long length of his own. She was creating a wildfire in him that was building all the time. “And we can start right here on Cougar Ranch.”

  She put her hands against his chest, splayed her fingers against his hard muscles, and tilted her head back. “I’ll pay you rent.”

  He shook his head. “No way in hell.”

  “Yes, I will. And I’ll buy horses and equipment and—”

  He lifted one of her hands and kissed each fingertip. “Lauren, I’m taking some time off to help you.”

  She jerked her hand away and stepped back, shaking her head negatively in concern.

  He saw tears brim her eyes and couldn’t figure out what he’d done or said wrong to upset her. “What?”

  She turned away and clasped the railing with both hands. “We’re not a couple anymore. You don’t owe me anything.” She glanced back over her shoulder. “And I don’t want to owe you anything.”

  He felt a cold chill race down his spine followed by a hot burn that spread outward to engulf his entire body. He wanted to grab her and shake some sense into her, but that wasn’t the answer. She had to come to his reasoning on her own. “Did you forget we’re friends? Did you forget how friends help each other in Wildcat Bluff? Did you forget we’d all do just about anything to make Hedy better?”

  He stepped toward her, holding down his frustration by force of will. “You’re trying to throw away all of us in this county who’d consider it an honor, as well as a duty, to get your idea off the ground. You might even end up providing jobs for some down-on-their-luck horse folks.”

  She groaned and put her face in her hands. “No more, please.” She raised her head and looked at him, tears shining in her dark eyes. “I’m not used to so much kindness and generosity.”

  “You better get used to it. Nobody’s letting you make a go of it on your own. All you have to do is let us do what we know how to do.”