A Perfect Cowboy Daddy (Cowboys of Nirvana Book 7)

by Rhonda Lee Carver

  “Did you just walk in?” Oh please say you did. She didn’t know the man very well. He’d only started working as the Nirvana staff doctor recently. She’d heard he’d opened his own medical office in town after leaving his job at the hospital in Cheyenne for personal reasons.

  “No, I’ve been here for a while.” He squinted.

  She wrapped her brain around his words…and…oh shit! Oh. Shit! “You have been here the entire time.” It really wasn’t a question as much as an allegation.

  One corner of his mouth turned, not quite a smile and not quite not. He pulled off his stethoscope and tossed it into his black, medical bag. “For about an hour.”

  “An hour?” She choked the words out that left her tongue tingling.

  “Montana is about to foal. I’ve been watching her.”

  “Wait, you’re not a vet. You’re a medical doctor. What are you doing examining the horses?”

  “I didn’t say I was examining her. Only hanging out with her. I’ve taken a liking to her.”

  “You were eavesdropping?” she stuttered and wrapped her arms around her waist, wishing the butterflies would settle.

  “No, I was minding my own business. This is a public area, by the way. It’s not like I could just pop out and say “Surprise”, now could I?” His eyes dazzled, sending a rush of anger through her.

  Her skin warmed from her roots to the tips of her toes. Every nerve ending was on alert as another strong dose of humiliation spiraled through her. “A gentleman would have made his presence known. You had plenty of time before…” She couldn’t even form the words.

  “You mean before you attempted to seduce Jace?”

  She swallowed what felt like a large rock lodged in her throat. “You-You’re wrong. You misunderstood…”

  “Did I?” He picked up his bag and strolled languorously her way, stopping beside her. “My opinion might not mean much, but I think Jace is a fool.” He winked and pulled his hat down on his forehead, his grin shining like a beacon.

  It’s a good thing that he didn’t wait for a response before he marched out the door because she didn’t have one to give. She stood there for the longest time. Not only did she never want to see Jace again, but if she saw Cam Parker again it would be too soon.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Damn!

  Cam had just sat down on the bar stool in the local honky tonk, ordered himself a cold one and swiveled to find the object of his heated thoughts for the last two days. Moon Novak. Since the barn incident, he’d seen her three times at Nirvana. The first time, she’d seen him coming, turned and hurried the other direction. The other two times, she’d simply lowered her head and pretended he didn’t exist. Hell, he understood…at least some.

  He couldn’t imagine what more he could have done to make the situation in the barn more bearable. Truth was, he’d been out at the Nirvana checking on a few guests when he’d decided to stop and visit Montana. He’d sat down, relaxing after not sleeping twenty-four hours, and the next thing he knew he awoke to voices. By the time he was awake enough to realize he wasn’t alone, he’d stood up to announce his presence, but he’d caught a glance of Moon sitting on the worktable, her fingers inside of her shirt ever so subtly, and yet ever so sexy. Cam had been struck like a nail in a board. She was absolutely beautiful with her long, ebony hair falling down her shoulders. The tops of her breasts spilling out of her bra, making him salivate for a taste. And her long legs that he imagined would feel like satin under his touch.

  He couldn’t deny the fact that he’d noticed her before. It wouldn’t be right for a man to not take notice of a beautiful woman. Her beauty wasn’t the only thing that made her different though. Although she seemed pretty confident in her skin, Cam had gotten the idea in the past that she was trying her best to not be the center of attention. She’d always been civil, but not overly friendly. He was a bit envious that she’d never given him a peek of her luscious breasts like she had Jace.

  And in that moment when he had turned her down, Cam had never been happier. It would serve him right, though, if he lost his chance. Only a stupid man felt something for a woman and didn’t make a move. In his defense, he was a bit rusty.

  What he saw now, out on the dance floor, didn’t slow his heart rate, but instead made his cock press against his zipper, warning him that he had a thing for her and it wasn’t letting up. The upbeat country song played from the jukebox and she danced—oh brother did she dance. Her hands were threaded in her hair, lifting the tresses, showing off her sleek neck and delicate profile. She wore a simple red top that slung off one shoulder and a sliver of her stomach was exposed. Her faded skinny jeans clung to her curves in a way that should have been illegal. Moon was the shapeliest female he’d ever laid eyes upon. He was pretty certain she was the inspiration for the ZZ Top song, Legs, and the heels she wore only exemplified the fact.

  He groaned deep in his chest as she rolled her hips rhythmically then shimmied her heart-shaped ass to the fast beat of the song, causing him to almost fall off his seat. She dropped her hair and the satin blanket fell down her back. His imagination went crazy wild. He’d like to clutch the strands in his fists as he pumped her hard and fast.

  Just looking at her aroused him, but watching her dance without a care in the world pinged his insides like a runaway marble. It marveled Cam even now how Jace could turn her down. He guessed the man had his reasons, but whatever they were, they must have been something pretty heavy to walk away from a woman like Moon.

  The little he knew about her said she had a smart head on her shoulders. He took a stab at her age. His first guess would be late twenties, but the way she carried herself told him she was in her thirties—and had a body that a red-blooded man’s fantasies were made of. She was beautiful enough to stop traffic and, without a doubt, she was on fire with need. He could read that in her every move. And her dancing now seemed wild and carefree. Maybe she was attempting to clear her head. He recognized Jennifer and Susie on the floor with her, but he didn’t dare take his gaze off Moon. He didn’t want to miss a thing.

  Realizing his jeans were getting tight and his circulation was cut off, he shifted and adjusted his bulging zipper before he broke a few of the teeth. Damn! She moved in a way that made his gaze naturally move up and down her luscious curves, making his mouth water and every muscle of his body ache. In a day and age where women were on every diet trying to get thin, seeing someone who embraced her curves was refreshing.

  The bartender brought his beer and placed it on the bar. “Here you are. You’re the new doc out at Nirvana, aren’t you?”

  Cam drew his gaze away from Moon. “Started recently. I’m only out there a day or two a week. I’m Cam.” They shook hands.

  “I’m Mickey. Did you come with the ladies?” He pointed at the threesome on the floor that were now enjoying another song, this time a classical rock one that reminded Cam of his younger days.

  “How many has she had?” Cam asked, turning his attention back to Moon who had her head bent back, laughing. What he wouldn’t give to be on the receiving side of that sound.

  “Moon?” Cam nodded. “Enough to feel good, but not enough to forget whatever it is that is eating her alive. She doesn’t come in often.”

  So, Mickey caught the tension in her as well?

  He was suddenly very glad that he’d decided to come into the bar.

  Tonight was the first night he’d been out in weeks. Hell, months. Maybe even a year. He’d been swamped in his new private practice, and why he’d taken the position at Nirvana he wasn’t quite sure. He guessed he was a glutton for punishment. One thing for sure, he didn’t like down time. When his body wasn’t moving his brain was overactive.

  His gaze stayed on Moon and his shoulders relaxed. Somehow she’d managed to lift the black cloud that had lurked above him—for almost three years now. Today was the anniversary of the day his life turned upside down and the showers of doom had washed away his happiness. Fucking cancer! Screwed-up, mo
ther fucking disease. Nothing in his medical training could have prepared him to help her, his wife. No amount of education or research could have equipped him to cure her. He’d had no choice but to stand by while the disease spread through her weak body, destroying her little by little, day by day, until she’d finally passed away in her sleep on a damp, cool morning. The only good thing about death was that it ended the pain for the patient—but not for the survivor.

  She’d first been diagnosed a few months after they’d married. The doctors had given her medicine and chemotherapy and she’d gone into remission. By the time she’d been told that the cancer had returned, this time all throughout her body, she’d only been given a month to live. Saving her hadn’t been an option, although he’d called in every favor, every friend in the medical field, even some not, until Corinne had told him that she wanted to live for the rest of her life, as short as it was, in peace. She’d managed to hold on for two months longer than expected.

  They’d been married for only twenty-eight months.

  His eyes misted and he swallowed the bitter taste in his throat. He rubbed his forehead then took a long drink of his beer, feeling the cold ease into a puddle in his gut. Corinne had been brave as she knew her days were numbered. It had nearly destroyed him sitting at her bedside watching his new wife slowly leave her body. He was a doctor, sworn to help sick people, help heal people, and his hands had been tied.

  Her only request at the end was that he find happiness.

  It’d taken him long enough to find the first woman to share his life with, and he didn’t have another thirty-four years to spend. Nearing forty, he may just end up riding through the rest of his life solo. He’d dedicated most of his time to healing others. He wasn’t against relationships, but what woman would want to be with a man who worked all of the time?

  And…every time he thought about getting close to another woman guilt grew like a monster. Even now, as he ached to hold Moon, his gut twisted in punishment. He could still feel pleasure, but his wife would never know another day of happiness.

  *****

  The song ended. Moon wasn’t sure how many she’d danced to, but her damp blouse was an indication she’d burnt off a few hundred calories. If a woman couldn’t burn the calories in bed, no one could stop her from enjoying herself to good music and a couple of beers. Tonight was a celebration. She’d received a call from the clinic setting the date for her insemination appointment. The ball was rolling now.

  Stepping off the dance floor, she scooted up to the bar. “Hey, Mickey, can I get another?”

  “You think that’s a good idea?” the thick husky voice invaded her semi-buzzed cells.

  Swiveling on her heel, she was ready to take on anyone who dared derail her evening. “What’s it any of your—” The words dried up on her tongue as she met the azure gaze of the handsome cowboy who was wearing a grin that could easily knock a woman’s panties off. His hat was hanging on his bent knee and the other leg was stretched out, showing off scuffed boot. “Cam? I half expected you to be hiding in a shadowed corner.” She wrinkled her nose.

  He laughed, not offended by her poke in the least. “I’ll give you that one, but I was hoping by now you’d see the humor of the situation.”

  She cocked a brow. “Has hell frozen over?”

  “Not that I’m a frequent visitor, but I’m going to say no.”

  She grabbed up the beer and drank thirstily, wishing the cold liquid would settle her sudden quaking nerves. He shrugged and she tried not to fixate on the way the black T-shirt stretched across his broad shoulders. She also tried not to devote any attention to the long, coiled muscles of his neck, or his bulky biceps that would feel really nice wrapped around her waist. She gave herself an internal shake. Don’t admire the enemy, girl.

  “Sorry. Wish I could take it back.” He sighed and rubbed his jaw. He had a nice chin, smooth-shaven and his lips were plump, kissable.

  But not for me, of course.

  “You don’t seem sorry at all.”

  There was that grin again. He wielded it like a weapon. He lifted his bottle and drank, his gaze still on her. She didn’t like the scorching energy crawling through her veins.

  Lowering the bottle, he puckered his bottom lip. “Does this help?”

  “Maybe if you were five and asking for a lollipop.”

  “I don’t think you like me much.”

  She laughed. “What would give you that idea? I barely know you.”

  “I think you make it your mission to not get to know me.” His smooth voice set off her warning bells.

  “Please, don’t flatter yourself. Worrying about you would take a lot of effort.”

  She was bumped from behind and fell forward, landing against the steel wall of Cam’s chest. Before she pushed away, she copped a feel of his muscles. He wasn’t a gym rat, but he certainly could pose for a health magazine. Clearing her throat, she regained her composure.

  A man like this should be held legally responsible for wearing a tight T-shirt that stretched across his shoulders like melted butter, making him a danger to all logic of those around him. And the jeans. Whoa…those jeans. They fit snuggly on his crotch and the bulge she saw there through subtle glances made her heart topsy-turvy. Up until recently she’d thought of Cam as the brainiac doc who came out to Nirvana to grab some R&R, but tonight he fit the description of a real cowboy. How had she missed that before? What could be more irresistible than a man with both brain and brawn? He didn’t lift bales of hay, build fences, and all of the other chores at Nirvana. He examined patients. So, he came across his toned body by some other sweat-evoking activity. Why did her mind create images of him naked, in her bed, examining her with the stethoscope he usually wore around his neck? Simple. He was a hottie, but off limits. She’d learned her lesson about crossing lines when she made a fool of herself with Jace. “I haven’t seen you here before. The doors closed where urban cowboys congregate?” She felt the need to lash out, to mask the throbbing in her core, but the missile she’d launched turned and made a beeline straight into her stomach. It was hard to take verbal jabs at a man who reflected them like Superman.

  “No, just had the night off and wanted a beer, maybe try out the mechanical bull if I feel a hankering. I’m a doctor, not a robot.” He winked.

  She wondered if anything ever ruffled his cool exterior? “Now you wouldn’t want to go and mess up those hands, doc. You might fall off and break a wrist. I’m sure there are a lot of women who rely on that magical touch.”

  What the hell? Have I lost my mind?

  She set the bottle down, cutting off her supply of liquid stupidity.

  “Don’t you worry about me, sweetheart. I’m confident that not only can I ride expertly, but I can stay in the saddle until the bull stops rocking.” His dazzling gaze slipped invisible, warm fingers down her spine. Goose bumps scattered her skin.

  Was he flirting?

  It was a little rough to get her lungs to work properly. Ride and rocking were two dangerous words when put into one sentence by that gorgeous mouth. Her knees went weak. She leaned against the edge of the bar and attempted to watch couples collect on the dance floor as a slow song drifted from the speakers. Yet, her gaze was drawn to him. He had a strong, square jaw, high cheekbones and a smile that could warm her from the inside out. His features were sharp, but the amazing color of his eyes softened any crinkle around his eyes and masculine curve. His hair touched his ears, dark like the inky night sky and wavy. Her fingers tingled at the mere thought of how the satin strands would feel on her palms, on her bare, trembling skin.

  “So, why are you here? Not the mechanical bull. This just doesn’t seem like your crowd, doc.” She propped her elbows on the bar, which naturally pushed out her chest. His gaze lingered a good three seconds and her nipples tightened in response. How could this man, one she didn’t like too particularly much, cause her body to respond? Sure, she was horny, but not desperate. Although wanting a man like Cam couldn’t be describ
ed as desperation. He could have any single—and a few married—women in the place. There was just something about him, a different something, that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. Although his eyes were kind and his smile penetrating, she had a feeling there was an emptiness inside of him.

  “I was coming back from Nirvana and decided to stop and see what everyone’s been talking about. Seems like everyone else had the same idea. Is it usually this crowded?”

  “You’ve come on a good night. The place is hopping. Is there something in particular you’re looking for?” Had those words just left her mouth? Oh snap! She was flirting too. He spread his fingers wide and she wasn’t sure why the innocent action made her body burn with more need than she’d felt in years. Must be the beer. “Lots of available women here tonight.” She stumbled to take the spotlight off herself.

  When he didn’t shift to scan the crowd, to check out the ‘available’ women she referred to, but instead stayed on her, a sweltering need burrowed into her bloodstream. It was important she not twist and tweak this into more than it was. He was only being friendly, making amends for what happened in the barn. She’d seen him around Nirvana, even times when she shouldn’t have been looking, and he was always smiling, always stopping to talk to say a word to the guests at the ranch.

  “Are you available?” He lifted a thick brow.

  “Do you need to ask?” She cleared her throat. “Don’t you remember the fool I made of myself with Jace?” She laughed and realized her humiliation from rejection had fizzled to nothing. Looking back, she knew perfectly well she would have regretted sharing anything more than hard work with him. Although, denying her need for satisfaction would be counterproductive. Just like now, she needed to accept her interest in Cam as nothing more than loneliness working double time. Yet, why didn’t the sensations building at her core feel anything like what she’d felt being near Jace?